Service lines are small pipes that connect individual buildings, like houses, to a city’s water main that runs below the street. These service lines deliver drinking water to your tap. Millions of homes across the United States have service lines made of lead. Why is lead bad? It’s a toxic metal that is especially dangerous to young, developing brains. When water flows through service lines made of lead, the pipe can release lead into your tap water. The only long-term solution to protect public health is to remove these lead pipes and replace them with new copper pipes. Watch this video to learn what you need to know and how to safeguard your health during and following a replacement. For advice on how to get your water tested or how to find the right filter, check out NRDC’s page on “How to Protect Yourself from Lead-Contaminated Tap Water.”