EPA lead service lines initiative

The City of Piqua continues to map the water service lines — both owned and maintained by the City and those owned and maintained by utility customers — as mandated for all public water suppliers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

As staff work to identify and catalog all service lines, including those in utility customers' homes, the City requests that utility customers complete a short survey at their earliest convenience to assist the City in compiling its inventory.

While water quality reports for the City of Piqua consistently reveal that lead levels are not detectable or well below the action level recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Piqua is participating as a federal requirement for all public water suppliers. Municipalities and other water suppliers nationwide are undertaking this same initiative as part of the EPA's directive.

When you are ready to complete the survey, locate your water meter either inside or outside of your home. You will conduct simple tests on the pipe nearest to the wall where the pipe enters your home or business. Take with you a key for scratching, a flashlight in case it is dimly lit, and a smart phone or tablet to capture images of the pipes. 

The following video walks residential and commercial utility customers through the process of identifying the water pipe type at the property.          

Survey now open button


There are four materials that are likely to be located in Piqua properties — galvanized steel, copper, lead or plastic. You will conduct simple tests — a scratch test and a magnet test — as well as your visual observations to determine the type of pipe at your property.Possible pipe materials image from Dayton

Below is a video from the EPA explaining the need to identify lead service lines and the impact for our community.

The graphic below demonstrates the publicly owned water lines and the privately owned water lines, with the property boundary marking the delineation between the two. The City has assessed the material for all of the publicly owned lines, and now needs homeowners' help to identify the material of privately owned lines throughout the City. Our goal is to inventory the water lines at every property that the City serves.


EPA pipe mapping diagram

View our service line inventory here.

Frequently asked questions

  • When will the lead service line customer survey go live?
    The City of Piqua launched the lead service line customer survey in April 2024. The survey remains open as the City continues its compilation of the inventory.
  • When do I need to complete the survey?
    We ask that you complete the survey at your earliest convenience to assist the City of Piqua team by collecting all needed data and compiling that information to meet federal deadlines.
  • What if I cannot access my service line or I do not feel comfortable completing the survey on my own?
    We are happy to help! Call 937.778.2018 and request an appointment with one of our team members to conduct the survey on your behalf.
  • Where can I find the latest water quality report for the City of Piqua?
    You may access the 2025 Water Quality Report (PDF) by clicking here.
  • What if the survey reveals that I do have lead pipes in my home?
    Homeowners with concerns about the safety of their drinking water may have their water tested, use a filter that removes lead and consider replacing the water lines at the property. Additional information tips about reducing lead in drinking water can be found by visiting the EPA website by clicking here.