Door to Door Water Service Line Inspections Begin in January 2026

The City of Hillsboro will host a public meeting on Monday, January 5 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss water service line inspections that will begin later in the month.

Hillsboro utility staff are working with AE2S, a local engineering firm, to determine if there is lead in any of the infrastructure that delivers water to properties. Staff members from AE2S and the City will begin knocking on doors in January to inspect unidentified water service lines in homes and businesses to determine if they are lead, galvanized steel, copper, or plastic. Inspections may continue through July 2026.

The pipe AE2S and Hillsboro utility staff will ask to identify is the service line that delivers water into each property. The correct pipe typically enters through the floor or an exterior wall on the lowest level of the home or business. It will be connected to the water meter and water shutoff valve. Service lines are often found in utility rooms or basements.

The City of Hillsboro will send letters to property owners with unidentified service lines in January 2026 to provide advance notice that inspectors will visit properties. If you prefer to complete your own service line inspection, please complete this online survey using a smart phone or tablet: bit.ly/HillsboroPipes. A photo of the service line must be uploaded to complete the survey. The photo will allow staff to double-check each service line material identification. 

What if I already identified my service line?

The Hillsboro service line inventory began in 2024 with an online survey property owners could complete. We thank everyone who has already helped Hillsboro identify their service lines. If your service line has already been identified, inspectors will not need come to your property in 2026, unless they need to confirm a previously identified lead or galvanized steel service line. 

Why is Hillsboro concerned about my service line?

The State of North Dakota and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are working to get the lead out of drinking water pipes. Every water system in the United States is required to provide an updated pipe inventory to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as required under the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Water systems must also develop a plan to replace lead and galvanized pipes as part of the LCRI.

Funding for Hillsboro’s LCRI assistance is provided through a contractual agreement between the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and AE2S.