Pipe Type Checks

WSSC Water is conducting pipe type checks in communities throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to verify the pipe material of WSSC Water’s portion of water service lines.

A water service line is the pipe that carries water from the WSSC Water main to a home/business. WSSC Water owns a portion of the service line, while the other portion is customer-owned.

A pipe type check involves digging in the public right-of-way to verify the pipe material of WSSC Water’s portion of the service line.

What to Expect In Your Community

Not all residents will be impacted. If work is planned near your property, you will receive a letter providing more detail.
About 48 hours before digging begins, another notification will be provided, typically a door hanger.
Work typically takes just a few hours during normal hours (8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)
You will not lose water service.
Access to homes is not required nor do homeowners need to be home while work is taking place.
A WSSC Water inspector will be on site throughout the work to oversee the process and answer any questions.
You may see temporary parking restrictions or colored markings/flags near the dig site.
After the pipe material is identified, the contractor will restore the area as close as possible to its original condition. This includes filling in the hole and compacting the soil, grading the surrounding area, and patching or replacing any disturbed grass, pavement or sidewalk surfaces.
Once the work is complete, customers will be notified of the water service line material and information regarding any follow-up action will be shared.

Pipe Type Check illustration to show where the 3 feet x 3 feet hole will be dug near but not in your property line. The hole will be dug in the public right-of-way to clear a path to the WSSC Water-owned service and allow for checking of your pipe type.

Why Are We Doing This Work?

This work is part of WSSC Water’s commitment to removing lead and protecting the quality of your drinking water. It also supports requirements under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, a national effort to identify and replace lead-containing water lines.

WSSC Water removed all known lead pipes from its water distribution system in the early 2000s, and the water we deliver to customers is free of lead. As part of EPA’s requirements, water utilities must confirm the pipe material of water service lines, including portions on both public and private property, and replace those pipes containing lead.

Have Questions? We're Here to Help!

Learn more about our What's Your Pipe Type? initiative at wsscwater.com/pipetype.

Call: 301-206-7200 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Email: [email protected]

Last Modified: November 2, 2026, 10:31 am EST