You will need a strong magnet and a key or coin.

1. Locate the service line pipe as it enters your home from an exterior wall near your water meter.
2. If the service line is a white, rigid pipe jointed to the water supply piping with a clamp, it is plastic (PVC). If your service line does not fit this description, continue to Step 3.
3. Place the magnet on the pipe. If it sticks, it is a galvanized steel pipe. If a magnet does not stick, continue to Step 4.
4. Carefully scratch the pipe (like you would a lottery ticket) with a key or coin. Take care not to make a hole in the pipe. If the scratch turns a shiny silver color, it is lead. If the scratch turns a shiny brownish orange color, it is copper. NOTE: if a pipe is painted, use sandpaper to expose the metal first.
5. After you identify the material, continue to the next tab to report it to the City!

*If unsure or unable to check your water service line, call 701-738-8740 to schedule an appointment for a City employee to check.

Choose one of the following ways to report your service line to the City of Grand Forks:

• Visit the URL to fill out the online form: https://arcg.is/01y0K9 OR
• Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Call (701)738-8773 and ask to report your service line material

You can schedule an inspection for a City of Grand Forks employee check the service line material. Call 701-738-8740 to schedule a water service line inspection.

• Typically takes 10-15 minutes
• Requires the homeowner/tenant to be present
• Requires easy access to the water meter

The water service line is the pipe that carries the water from the water main in the street to your home. Service lines are typically made of lead, copper, galvanized steel, or plastic.

If you have a lead service line or a galvanized steel service line, you qualify for service line replacement funding! The application for funding can be found above.

The Lead Service Line Replacement Program is a program offered by the City of Grand Forks that provides property owners access to state grant funding for replacement of the property owners lead service lines. It encourages the removal of lead service lines to assist the Water Department in compliance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule. It also provides information and resources about reducing exposure to lead in drinking water.

Galvanized steel service lines corrode easily which can cause a buildup of particles including heavy metals such as lead.

Following completion of the work and a successful inspection, the contractor will submit an invoice to the Water Department for the City share and one to the homeowner for their share. The invoice will show the total replacement cost with the homeowner share deducted from the total. The current cost share is 90% City/SRF and 10% homeowner with a $1,000 cap on the owner share. The cost share is subject to change based on funding requirements.

The City of Grand Forks is required to send out a notification every year to residents that own and/or reside in a home that has a lead, galvanized steel, or unknown service line. This letter contains information reminding residents of resources available to them through our Lead Service Line Replacement Program as well as ways to reduce lead in drinking water. Residents will continue receiving this annual letter until the line is replaced. If you have already applied for replacement, then you do not have to fill out another application following the annual letter notification. Your application is still on file and does NOT have to be resubmitted.

• Use a water pitcher with a filter that removes 99% of the lead. Verify that it is certified under NSF/ANSI 53 to remove lead.
• Replace the lead service line.
• Flush taps or faucets 30 seconds to one minute before using the water.
• Periodically remove and clean aeration devices (screen) on faucets.
• Use only cold water for cooking and drinking; boiling does not reduce the lead.
• Use bottled water.
• Treat well water to make it less corrosive.
• Add reverse osmosis or distillation units if able.
• Do not use carbon, sand, cartridge, or micro filters as they DO NOT reduce lead!

The City of Grand Forks is on a monitoring plan for Lead & Copper sampling as mandated by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Results of this sampling can be found in the annual Drinking Water Quality Report.

The City Water Department will help homeowners determine if they have a lead service line. 

If you would like to test for lead in drinking water, there are several labs available to do this:

• Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratory 701-258-9720
• ND Department of Health 701-328-6140
• RMB Environmental Laboratories Inc. 218-846-1465

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups.  Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.