Field Work Begins for Drinking Water Service Line Inventory
April 1, 2026
Rockville is conducting a federally directed inventory of water service lines on both public and private property.
The inventory helps water utilities comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, which require agencies to identify service line materials and address any potential risks from lead in drinking water.
City-authorized contractors will begin field investigations in early April. This phase combines advanced machine learning data analysis with physical inspections to identify water service line materials across Rockville.
Water service lines are the small pipes that carry drinking water from a water main in the street to homes and other buildings. The city owns the portion of the line that runs from the main to the water meter, while property owners are responsible for the section that runs from the meter into the building.
The city and its consultants have reviewed historical records and conducted surveys to gather information about service line materials. The next phase of the project will include field inspections and targeted site visits to properties where the material of the service line remains unknown.
During the field investigation phase, crews may inspect meter pits outside homes and, in some cases, request access to inspect pipes that enter buildings. Residents will receive advance notice through door hangers and other materials explaining the work and what to expect.
During this phase, residents may also see crews digging test pits. This involves making a small, localized hole (often using vacuum excavation) to safely expose a section of the pipe for identification. This targeted approach, guided by predictive modeling, ensures the city will only dig where necessary, minimizing disruption to neighborhoods.
As of the latest review, no lead service lines have been identified within Rockville’s water system.
Property owners in targeted areas will receive a test pit agreement notification in the mail. For the project to proceed, owners must review and sign the agreement to grant permission for the work. To expedite the process, the agreement can be reviewed and signed online via the project webpage.
Property owners can also help the city complete the inventory by reporting the material of their service line.
For more information or to take part in the inventory effort, visit rockvillemd.gov/lcrr.