Halifax Water is committed to delivering safe, affordable, high-quality water to our customers.
The water we provide to homes and businesses is lead-free, but lead can get into the water as it moves through lead-containing solder, faucets, fittings, and service lines — the pipe that brings water into the home from the water main in the street.
Halifax Water will replace lead service lines over the next two decades, prioritizing high-risk customers and coordinating with HRM’s street paving and renewal schedule to minimize disruption to the community and be cost-efficient for ratepayers.
Follow the steps below to determine what material your service line is made of.
The water meter is usually found in the basement, near the main water shut-off valve. This shut-off valve is located where your water service line comes into your home. If you are having trouble locating the water meter, you may want to check your furnace room, utility room, or near your hot water tank. Water meters can occasionally be found in crawl spaces.
Hold a magnet to your service line.
- If a magnet will stick, you have a steel service line.
- If a magnet won't stick, you may have a lead service line. Proceed to the next step.
Use a key or coin to scratch the pipe close to where it enters the house through the wall or floor.
What colour is the pipe underneath?
- If it is shiny and orange like a penny, or yellow/gold like a loonie, you do not have a lead service line in your home. Learn more about possible sources of lead in your plumbing.
- If the pipe is grey, you may have a lead service line. Halifax Water has records that can be reviewed by our staff upon request to help you determine if you have a lead service line. Continue on this page to learn more.
Decide how you'd like to Get the Lead Out
We estimate there are 3,500 properties in our service area that may have lead service lines. Halifax Water is committed to replacing the lead service lines of property owners. We've decided to take further action to help protect current and future generations. We have an approach to make this important shift accessible to all property owners.
Halifax Water's Get the Lead Out program will replace all lead service lines by 2038. Replacements are being coordinated with HRM’s street paving and renewal schedule to minimize disruption to the community and be cost-efficient for ratepayers. We will also complete a limited number of individual replacements with priority given to customers who are most at-risk from lead exposure. Replacements will be completed at no cost to the property owner. Halifax Water will schedule the replacements, which could take place at any time throughout the life of the program.
At any time, property owners can replace their lead service line at their cost by hiring a qualified contractor. To assist property owners, Halifax Water offers a rebate of 25% of the total cost, up to a maximum of $2,500.
