Lead and Copper Program

The federal Lead and Copper Rule requires all community drinking water systems to regularly test a sample of high-risk homes for lead at the tap. We conduct regular testing throughout the water service area in adherence with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) water quality monitoring programs.

This commitment includes comprehensive sampling for lead and copper. In addition to the sampling that already occurs, we have expanded our lead and copper program to identify where lead water service lines may be present in our system.

EPA requirements to identify sources of lead

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a new requirement for all public water utilities to develop and publish an inventory of known and suspected lead water lines within their service area. Hillsborough County Water Resources has a Lead and Copper Program to meet this requirement.

Hillsborough County’s drinking water tests lead before it leaves our treatment plants. If lead or copper are found in tap water, it is typically caused by underground pipes, plumbing, solder, and fixtures in older buildings. Lead and copper are also naturally occurring metals.

 The federal government banned lead pipes in the late 1980s. Hillsborough County modified the county building codes on May 1,1980 to remove lead as an approved pipe material for plumbing. It is unlikely that any properties built after 1982 have lead service lines.

Inventory and inspections

Hillsborough County developed an inventory of all service lines and used historical data and inspections of service lines using over 1400 randomly selected addresses of properties built before 1982. Properties built in Hillsborough County after May 1, 1980 are unlikely to have lead after 1982 per the County's Building Codes. 

 A County agent inspected meter boxes of these randomly selected addresses to identify service line materials. All service line inventories have been completed and you may find the information at your address posted below:

Lead Service Line Inventory Map

Note: On the map, there is an expandable table at the bottom of the page and when you zoom in, give it a few seconds to draw the points.

Health effects

Exposure to lead or high levels of copper over a long period of time may cause health effects, so it is important to identify and remove sources that may contaminate water.

Lead can cause immediate effects at high doses and long-term effects if it builds up in the body over many years. Some effects and concerns include:

• Lead can cause brain and kidney damage in addition to effects on the blood and vitamin D metabolism
• Children are more vulnerable to lead exposure because their bodies are smaller, and because they are still developing
• Pregnant women and their unborn babies are also at higher risk for negative health effects associated with lead exposure

If you are concerned that you or a family member may have been exposed to lead, consult with your family doctor to receive a blood test for lead and learn more about the health effects associated with exposure.

Get additional information

• AWWA's Lead and Your Water - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
• National Lead Information Center: 1-800-LEAD-FYI