LeadCAST

INSPECT YOUR SERVICE LINE BY AUGUST 25, 2024 TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $50 WATER UTILITY BILL CREDIT – Follow instructions below.  Learn more about this project and the Lead and Copper Rule here.

Step 1

Use the LeadCAST portal (below) to determine if the service line material at your property has been identified.

• Enter your address in the search field located in the upper right and press enter;
• LeadCAST will highlight your property on the map and display the Utility Site Material (county-owned) and Private Side Material (customer-owned) to the left of the map.

Step 2

Look at the results for your property.

• The Utility Side Material (county-owned) is the responsibility of Johnston County.
  
  
• If your Private Side Material (customer-owned) has been identified as UNK-NL (Unknown – Non-Lead), then you do not need to complete further steps for the County. You are not eligible for the $50 water bill credit.
  
  
• If your Private Side Material (customer-owned) has been identified as UNK (Unknown), the County encourages you to inspect and identify your service line where it enters the crawlspace or basement. Alternatively, you may consult with a plumber to verify your service line material. If you complete all steps below by August 25, 2024, you will be eligible for the $50 one-time credit on your water bill.
  
  
• If your Private Side Material (customer-owned) has been identified as UNK (Unknown) and you choose not to self-verify the service line material, please contact Johnston County Public Utilities at waterinventory@johnstonnc.com or 919-989-5799, if you would like for a County employee or County contractor to verify for you.

Before you enter your crawlspace or start the identification process, check to see if you have a Home Inspection Report provided when you purchased the house. The home inspector may have identified your service line material and included a photo of the service line. This may be a guide to help you find and identify your line. You will still need to locate, identify, and take a picture of your service line where it enters your home.

Step 3

It is time to inspect the service line. If you are comfortable and interested in identifying your water service line, you will need to be able to access your crawlspace or basement. In addition, please have the following items ready:

• Strong magnet
• A key or penny
• Smartphone or digital camera
• Flashlight (if needed)

CAUTION: If you are alone and going into your crawlspace, we recommend checking in with a neighbor, family member, or friend before you go.

Download the detailed self-verification instructions here. In general, the service main material can be identified as follows:

• Lead
  • Gray or silver
  • Shiny and silver when scratched with key or penny (soft and scratches easily)
  • Magnet will NOT stick
  • Widens at base and forms a ‘bulb’
    
    
• Galvanized steel
  • Gray or silver
  • No visible scratch on surface when scratched with key or penny
  • Magnet will stick
  • Has threads at connections
    
    
• Copper
  • Dull brown; greenish
  • Same color as penny when scratched with key or penny
  • Magnet will NOT stick
    
    
• Brass
  • Brown; can have green corrosion spots
  • Gold color when scratched with key or penny
  • Magnet will NOT stick
  • Has threads at connections
    
    
• Plastic
  • Smooth and white, red, blue, or black

Get several good pictures of the service line material before you leave the crawlspace.

Step 4

Report your findings in the LeadCAST system by August 25, 2024.

To report in LeadCAST, please use the following process:

1. Click on this LeadCAST link.
   
   
2. Follow the instructions to register your account.  If your account number will not work, check the "I don't know my account" and it will bypass this.
   
   
3. Verify your account in your email.
   
   
4. Log in to LeadCAST.
   
   
5. Identify your service line material.
   
   
6. Upload photos of your service line.
   
   
7. Click "Submit". 
   
   
8. After you submit, check your email for verification of receipt.

The County will review your submission in a timely manner. We may contact you directly, if we have additional questions. Once we verify your submission, you will receive your $50 water utility bill credit within 30 – 60 days, depending on your billing cycle.

Please contact Johnston County Public Utilities at waterinventory@johnstonnc.com or 919-989-5799, if you have any questions or need additional information.

Download, view or save these instructions as a PDF document.