Lynchburg crews to inspect 16,000 unknown water service lines for lead starting in July

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Lynchburg is stepping up efforts to remove lead from its water system, with crews set to begin inspecting thousands of water service lines in July under a new state law.

The city will begin inspecting properties where the material of the customer-side service line is unknown. The new law allows city crews to access customer-owned service lines and provides an opportunity to replace lead or galvanized lines at no cost to property owners.

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City officials said inspections will involve digging small test pits and using hydro excavation to determine whether service lines contain lead or galvanized pipes.

“These inspections will happen at any properties where we do not know the material of the customer side service line. We will give residents 14 day notice we will hang a door hanger at their home to let them know that will we be coming to do the inspection,” said Jason Snyder, the city of Lynchburg’s communications manager.

Officials said the expanded access provided by the new law will allow the city to replace aging pipelines on a faster timeline.

Lynchburg currently has about 16,000 service lines that still need to be inspected. Crews are working to complete those inspections before 2027.