Safe drinking water starts long before it reaches the tap. That’s why Aqua Pennsylvania is continuing its work in West Chester Borough to identify and replace lead and galvanized service lines as part of a statewide effort to modernize infrastructure and protect public health.

The utility is currently conducting a customer-owned service line inventory study throughout the borough, helping locate aging water service lines that may contain lead or galvanized materials. The initiative is a critical step in Aqua Pennsylvania’s broader mission to eliminate lead service lines across its service area while providing replacements at no direct cost to eligible customers.

The study, which includes approximately 1,200 test holes, began in April and is expected to continue throughout the year.

The inventory allows Aqua Pennsylvania to identify service lines made of lead or galvanized material so they can be replaced. Service lines are divided into two sections: a utility-owned portion and a customer-owned portion. Typically, the utility-owned section extends from the water main in the street to the curb stop located at the curb or property line. The customer-owned section extends from that curb stop into the customer’s home or building.

Once a service line is identified as being made of lead or galvanized material, Aqua works directly with the customer to replace the customer-owned portion. Through Aqua Pennsylvania’s Customer Lead Service Line Replacement Program, this work is completed at no direct cost to the customer. A warranty is also provided for the completed replacement.

“This project is an example of Aqua’s dedication to protecting our customers’ drinking water from contaminants like lead,” said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca. “We have made great strides in the past few years and could not do this without our customers’ cooperation. In the end, we are working together for the common goal of eliminating lead service lines.”

Since launching customer-owned service line replacement efforts in 2024, Aqua Pennsylvania has completed nearly 2,800 replacements across the state, including more than 500 in West Chester Borough and surrounding Chester County communities. That number continues to grow as the company advances efforts to create lead-free water systems and strengthen infrastructure for future generations.

The service line inventory and replacement program is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. For customers, however, the impact is simple: safer, more reliable drinking water and greater confidence in the systems that serve their homes and businesses.

To learn more about Aqua Pennsylvania’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program, how service line inventories are conducted, and what to expect if a replacement is needed, visit Aqua online. There, you can explore customer resources, community initiatives, and Aqua Pennsylvania’s ongoing commitment to delivering safe, reliable water service and investing in the infrastructure that supports the communities it serves.