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https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-find-out-if-your-home-has-lead-service-lines#:~:text=Water%20service%20lines:%20These%20are,under%20the%20Bipartisan%20Infrastructure%20Law. 

https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/lead-schools-older-homes 

https://www.ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/engineering/LCR/Lead_Pipe_Identification.pdf 

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lcri-questions-and-answers

Lead pipes were used in houses from the late 1800s through much of the 20th century, with a nationwide ban on new lead pipes taking effect in 1986. However, they are still present in many older homes, particularly those built before 1986, and can also be found in older water systems and older fixtures with lead solder.  

When lead pipes were used. Late 1800s to mid-1900s. Lead pipes were common for water service lines connecting water mains to homes, and for internal plumbing.  Commonly until the 1950s. Lead pipes were widely used until this time, though copper and other materials began to be used more frequently. Allowed until 1986. The federal government banned the use of lead in new plumbing systems in 1986, but existing lead pipes were not required to be replaced. Still present today. Many older homes, especially in older cities, continue to have original lead pipes and service lines. 

How to check for lead pipes. Scratch test. To see if a pipe is lead, scratch it with a coin or key. If the scratch is dull gray, and a magnet will not stick to it, it could be lead. Galvanized steel is dull gray, but a magnet will stick to it. Look at the age of the home. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes. If your house was built before 1978, it's more likely to have lead paint as well, according to the LA County Department of Public Health. Check fixtures. Even if your home doesn't have lead pipes, it may have faucets, fixtures, or solder that contain lead. Contact a professional. For a definitive answer, contact a qualified plumber or your local water utility for testing. 

You can find out if your home has lead service lines by checking with your water utility, performing a visual and scratch test at the pipe's entry point, or hiring a professional. A lead service line is a dull gray pipe that is soft enough to be scratched easily with a key, and it is not magnetic. 

Contact your water utility or landlord

• Call your water company or landlord and ask for information on the materials of the service line that brings water into your home. Check your utility's publicly accessible inventory of service lines, which may include the material and location of pipes in your area, notes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). 

Perform a visual and scratch test. 

Locate the pipe: 

Find the water service line where it enters your home, usually near the water meter or shut-off valve. 

Examine the pipe: 

Look for dull gray pipes that are soft and easily scratched. Note any signs of a "wipe joint," which looks like a bulge in the pipe where it connects. 

Scratch the pipe.  

If the pipe is covered in paint or corrosion, gently scratch a small area with a key, coin, or knife to reveal the metal. 

Perform the magnet test. 

Place a magnet against the pipe. If the magnet does not stick, the pipe is lead or copper. If the magnet sticks, it is likely galvanized steel. 

Check for color: 

If you can scrape away the outer layer, a shiny silver color is characteristic of lead. Copper will be reddish-brown, and plastic will be a different color. 

Seek professional help

• Have a licensed plumber or a certified professional perform an inspection. 
• Contact your local or state drinking water authority for a list of certified laboratories to test your water for lead. 
• Ask your water utility about potential lead goosenecks or pigtails, as these can be separate from the main service line. 

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/prevention/drinking-water.html

The EPA says “no known safe level of lead in drinking water.  This toxic metal "can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels." Ingesting water with lead can lead to behavioral issues, a lower IQ, and slowed growth for children, as well as increased blood pressure, hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems for adults.