Mars is asking residents if they have lead pipes bringing water into their homes.

Seth Wenig

Mars is asking its residents to fill out an online survey so it can put together a comprehensive audit of the materials that comprise water service lines underneath the streets.

Residents can determine what material their service lines are by using a key or coin to gently scratch the pipe that delivers their water to find out what color is underneath the surface, or using a magnet to find out whether it sticks. Orange means the material likely is copper. If a magnet sticks to it, it likely is galvanized steel, but if it is some shade of gray and a magnet does not stick to it, it may be lead.

Mayor Gregg Hartung says that this is a routine annual survey.

“This is something we do to get a read on where things are,” Hartung said. “This is a simple thing allowing residents to check their lines.”