Aquarion Water Company is updating our water service line records to meet the new standards required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Help us identify your line's material—be it lead, copper, plastic, brass, or galvanized steel. Begin by finding the water service line in your basement, then take our survey below to share your findings.
Below, you’ll find a visual and descriptive guide to help you identify common pipe materials. From lead to plastic, learn the characteristics of each type and how to easily recognize them through simple tests and visual cues. Follow the steps below to learn how to identify your pipe material:
Lead pipes are gray or silver. Scratch test: shiny and silver (soft and scratches easily). Magnets will not stick. Widens at base and forms a "bulb."
Galvanized steel pipes are gray or silver. Scratch test: no visible scratch on surface. Magnets will stick. Has threads at connections.
Copper pipes are dull brown; greenish. Scratch test: same color as penny. Magnets will not stick.
Brass pipes are brown, can have green corrosion spots. Scratch test: gold color. Magnets will not stick. Has threads at connections.
Smooth and red, blue, black, or white.