City of Decatur, IN Service Line Self-Identification Form

Name

First NameLast Name

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email

example@example.com

Service Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Type of Occupant

OwnerRenter/TenantOther

Account Number (if known)

The following steps will help you determine what the pipe in your home is made of and information on how to send the City of Decatur's Water Department a photo of your service line for verification (regardless of if you are able to determine the material yourself).

1) Finding your water meter:

Your water meter may be located inside or outside of the home:

Locations inside typically include the basement, crawl space, or garage.
Outside locations are usually found between the water main in the street and your house, on the sidewalk, or in the yard.

2) Locating your service line:

If your meter is inside, the service line will enter the house near the meter, on the same wall.
If your meter is outside, the service line most likely enters the house at a point closest to the meter.
If your service line is not visible, contact the City of Decatur Water Department at (260) 724-7171 to make a service line inspection appointment.

3) Identifying your service line material using the information below:

Plastic: The pipe is typically blue, black or white, but can also be other colors. Although plastic does not contribute to lead in drinking water, lead may still be present in other parts of the plumbing system such as faucets and bonding material called solder.

Metal: To find out what kind of metal pipe you have, perform two simple tests

1) a scratch test with a coin or key

2) a magnet test. You will need a key and/or penny and a magnet for these tests.

First, use the coin or key to gently scratch the pipe close to where it comes in through the wall or floor. Then, place the magnet on the pipe and see if it sticks. Using the information below, you can determine what your pipe is made of.

Copper: If the pipe has a solid or splotchy film, varying in color from bright green to dark brown, you may have a copper pipe. After gently scratching, if the pipe is the same color as a penny, you may have a copper pipe. A magnet will not stick to copper.

Galvanized Iron or Steel: If the pipe is silver or gray, hard to scratch with a key or coin you may have an iron or steel pipe. If you place a magnet on the pipe and it sticks to the pipe, you may have galvanized steel pipes.

Lead: If a scratch test produces a shiny silver color, your pipe is likely made of lead. If you try to attach the magnet to the pipe and it does not stick, you may have a lead pipe.

Not sure about your water service line material? If you need help identifying it, simply select "Unknown/can't tell" on the next question.

What is your service line?

Plastic - visibly blue, black or white, but can also be other colors.Copper - visibly the same color as a penny and a magnet did not stick to it.Galvanized Iron or Steel - hard to scratch with a key or coin and a magnet sticks to it.Lead - scratching with a key or coin results in a shiny silver line and a magnet does not stick to it.Unknown/can't tellOther

What year was your home or building built? (estimated year if exact year is unknown)

Have there been any upgrades or repairs made to the home/building plumbing and if so, when?

Has your water service ever been replaced?

YesNoUnknown

If your water service line was replaced, what year was it replaced and what material was it replaced with?

If your water service line was replaced, please note if it was a partial or full replacement? If partial, provide which part of the line was replaced.

Full ReplacementPublic Side - Partial ReplacementCustomer Side - Partial ReplacementUnknown

Take photo of your service line including all of the following: the water meter, the service line (including the scratch test area), and the wall/floor where the service line enters the building or crawl space.

Upload a photo of your service line:

If you selected "Unknown / Can't Tell," would you like us to visit your home to inspect your service line? If so, simply select "Yes" and our team will add your address to our inspection list to visit your home and inspect your service line.

YesNo

City of Decatur Service Line Self-Identification Form