Core & Main Deploys Advanced Lead Detection Technology to Major Texas Utility
St. Louis, Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
With over 2.3 million unknown service lines in Texas, Core & Main’s first deployment of non-invasive SWORDFISH technology marks a critical step toward meeting the EPA’s strict 2027 compliance deadline without costly excavation.
Modernizing Infrastructure Detection
The transaction, finalized on March 3, 2026, involves the sale of the SWORDFISH buried pipe material detection system to one of the ten largest cities in Texas [1]. This deployment follows an exclusive sales and marketing agreement established in November 2025 between Electro Scan Inc. and Core & Main’s Damage Prevention team [1]. The municipality selected this technology following a live field demonstration, choosing to modernize its investigation process rather than relying on traditional excavation methods to identify underground assets [1].
Accelerating Compliance Amidst Stricter Regulations
This technological shift is driven by urgent federal mandates requiring water systems to clarify their infrastructure inventories. As of December 31, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that 66,409 water systems nationwide still accounted for 23.8 million service lines with “unknown” material classifications [1][2]. Utilities are currently operating under a strict deadline of November 1, 2027, to identify all water service pipe materials and convert these unknowns to verified data [1][2].
Addressing Funding and Verification Challenges
Beyond the logistical hurdles of identification, utilities face complex technical and financial variables. Emerging research indicates that even copper and plastic service lines may capture and retain lead particles, complicating the certification of “lead-free” infrastructure [2]. Additionally, due to funding uncertainties, many municipalities are exploring alternative compliance mechanisms, such as enacting local ordinances that shift the responsibility of verification to buyers and sellers during real estate transactions [2].