In short
Look at the pipe where it enters the house and use a magnet and a coin.
Where to look
DeKalb suggests finding your water heater, tracing a pipe back to the wall or floor closest to the street, and looking at the first few inches where it comes in.
The tests
| Material | Looks | Scratch | Magnet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Dull grey, may bulge at joints | Shiny silver | No |
| Galvanized | Grey, threaded joints | No mark | Yes |
| Copper | Brown or greenish | Penny color | No |
| Brass | Brown, threaded | Gold | No |
| Plastic | Smooth, white, black, blue or red | No | No |
Report it
Use DeKalb's "Check Your Line" self-report, email photos to LeadCopperRule@dekalbcountyga.gov, or call 770-270-6243.
Questions
When did DeKalb stop using lead service lines?
DeKalb says lead was commonly used until 1960. Georgia banned it for water service in 1989.
Related
Water line repairRepairing the buried pipe on your side of the DeKalb meter: the break is located, a small…Main line replacementLaying a new service line from the DeKalb meter to the house, by trench or by boring, and…Galvanized pipe replacementReplacing an aging galvanized steel service line on the owner's side of the meter with…Burst line helpUrgent repair of a service line that has split or pulled apart, after the water has been…
Sources: DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management service line ownership sheet, lead and copper FAQ and 2026 galvanized pipe notices; Atlanta News First, 15 January 2025; City of Decatur news release, 14 January 2025.
