City of The Dalles, OR

Water Service Line Survey

The City of The Dalles is conducting a water service line survey

The City of The Dalles has no known lead service lines in our system. However, to comply with the Federal Lead and Copper Rule Revised, the City must record an inventory of all materials in our system from the water main to where the service line connects to your building.

water-service-line-location-engwater-service-line-location-span

You can help!  Send us a picture of your scratch test.

1. Do the scratch test where the service line enters the building.
2. Jot notes on a piece of paper.
  • Address of building
  • Pipe material
  • Contact email
CLICK TO ENTER NOTES AND UPLOAD A PICTURE
 

CLICK TO SEE THE CITY OF THE DALLES WATER SERVICE AREA MAP

CLICK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

Use a flat head screwdriver to do the water service line scratch test




Copper Pipe was introduced in 1930’s and is commonly used to this day.

  • Your service line is copper if the scratched area is copper in color, like a penny.
  • A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe.
 copper-pipe-with-flat-head-screwdriver-and-shiny-penny
Galvanized Steel Pipe was commonly used before the 1960’s and as late as the 1980’s.

  • A galvanized steel service line may appear rusted or grey.
  • If the pipe is excessively rusted, do not scratch, just take a picture.
  • If galvanized pipe is grey, a scratched area will remain a dull gray.
  • A magnet will stick to a galvanized steel pipe. 
 galvanized-steel-pipe-with-flat-head-screwdriver
Plastic Pipe has been used since the 1970’s. It has been commonly used since the 1990’s to this day.

  • Your service line is plastic if it is grey, black, blue or white (red is for hot water).
  • Some types of plastic will be flexible to the touch.
  • Do not scratch plastic pipe because scratching can damage the pipe. Just take a picture if you have plastic pipe.
  • A magnet will not stick to a plastic pipe.
 plastic-pipe
Lead Pipe was phased out of use in the 1930s and has been prohibited since 1986.

  • Your service line is lead if the scratched area is shiny and silver.
  • Lead service lines do not rust.
  • A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.
 lead-pipe-with-flat-head-screwdriver

Lead may be found in the plumbing material inside your home.
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. The City provides high quality drinking water. But the City cannot control the materials used in plumbing. To reduce lead exposure, flush your cold-water tap for about 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. For information on lead in drinking water, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791 or go to epa.gov/safewater/lead.