Virginia · population 25,908
Lead pipes in Salem, VA
1,900 lines still unidentified
Most of Salem (population 25,908) gets its water from City of Salem. It reported no confirmed lead service lines, but 1,900 of 10,009 lines are still listed as unknown material, so lead hasn't been ruled out.
0% of City of Salem's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Virginia average (0.6%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 19%
- Non-lead 81%
Latest lead test for City of Salem (Jan 2023–Dec 2025): 3.1 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for City of Salem.
Water systems serving Salem
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of SalemMain system | 0 | 0 | 1,900 | 0% |
| Western Virginia Water AuthorityServes nearby areas | 0 | 1 | 0 | <0.1% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Salem
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on City of Salem's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Roanoke1 lead + galv. lines
- Vinton1 lead + galv. lines
- Blacksburgno lead reported
- Rocky Mount277 lead + galv. lines
- Radfordno lead reported
- Bedford5 lead + galv. lines
- Pembrokeno lead reported
- Covington3,424 unknown
Check another water system
Questions
Does Salem, VA have lead pipes?
None are confirmed, but City of Salem still lists 1,900 service lines as unknown material.
Who supplies water to Salem?
EPA's service area maps place most of Salem in City of Salem's service area (PWSID VA2775300). Western Virginia Water Authority also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Salem home has a lead service line?
Search your address on City of Salem's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Salem be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask City of Salem whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.