Got a Lead Line Notice? Here's What It Means.

Water utilities across the country are required to tell homeowners whether their service line is lead, galvanized, or unknown. If you just got that letter, start with the guide below.

• What does my lead line notice mean?

  What "Lead," "Galvanized Requiring Replacement," and "Unknown" mean, whether your water is unsafe right now, and who's responsible for fixing it.

• EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, explained

  The federal rule behind the notice: the real deadlines, the annual notification requirement, and how the "who pays" question actually works.

• How much does replacement cost?

  Typical cost ranges for the customer-owned portion of the line, what drives the price, and how to avoid overpaying a contractor.