The following steps will help you determine what the pipe in your home is made of and information on how to send the Village of Holly's Water Department a photo of your water 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 water service line:

• If your meter is inside, the water service line will enter the house near the meter, on the same wall.
• If your meter is outside, the water service line most likely enters the house at a point closest to the meter.
• If your water service line is not visible, contact the Village of Holly Water Department at (248) 634-2202 to make a water service line inspection appointment.

3) Identifying your water 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 (you will need a key, sandpaper, and/or a penny and a magnet for these tests):

1) A scratch test with a coin, key, or sandpaper.

2) A magnet test.  

First, use the coin, key, or sandpaper 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.