Lead Service Line Inventory & Replacement Frequently Asked Questions

As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), the First District Water Department (the District) is required to document all water service line materials in our system and identify any lead, or lead containing, materials in our system. An inventory was provided to the CT Department of Health and a map of all customer locations is available on the District website at https://www.firstdistrictwater.org/LSL-info

What is a water service line?

A water service line is a pipe that brings water from the water main in the street into your home. It may be made of the following materials:

How does lead get into the drinking water?

Our system’s water mains that carry the water to you are made mostly of iron and plastic, and therefore do not add lead to water. However, lead can get into tap water through the service line that connects your home to the water main if it is made of lead. Lead may also come from lead solder used to connect pipes in home plumbing, and from some faucets and fixtures. When lead is present in water, it is typically due to the water flowing through service lines or internal pipes or plumbing in buildings with lead pipes or plumbing with lead solder or brass.

Lead pipes are more likely to be found in homes built before 1986. 

  • What If my service was listed as "Unknown"?

    An unknown result means that we do not have adequate data at your property to determine the material of the service line. Our original records for a home can be outdated, missing, or hard to read. The District needs to gather information on all unknown service lines. 


    1) You can self-report your service line material by completing the survey on the District website at: 


    https://form.jotform.com/fdwdnorwalk/service-line-survey


    2) A District technician can come to your home and check your service line. Customer Service can make an appointment or you can request an appointment through the District website at: 


    https://form.jotform.com/fdwdnorwalk/service-line-survey



  • What if my service was listed as "Lead" or "Galvanized"?

    If you have a service line made of lead or galvanized steel requiring replacement, or if you have any lead in your interior plumbing fixtures, here are simple measures that can be taken to reduce your risk:


    • Run your water to flush out lead. If the water hasn’t been used for several hours, run the water for 15-30 seconds to flush lead from interior plumbing or run the water until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using your water for cooking or drinking. Use only cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water is more likely to leach lead from the plumbing.

    • Do NOT use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.

    • Do NOT boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.

    • Look for alternative sources or treatment of water, such as the use of a pitcher filter that is certified to remove lead.  Replace the cartridges on a routine frequency or use bottled water.

    • Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. Brass faucets, fittings and valves, including those advertised as “lead free” installed prior to 2014 may contribute lead to drinking water because the law allowed fixtures with up to 8% lead to be labeled as lead free.

    • Regularly clean your aerators/screens on plumbing fixtures. Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.


  • Can I shower in lead-contaminated water?

    Yes. Bathing and showering should be safe for you and your children, even if the water contains lead over EPA’s action level. Human skin does not absorb lead in water. 

  • Who is responsible for replacing the line?

    The District’s Rules and Regulations identify that the customer’s responsibility for the water line includes the curb stop and the property-side portion of the service line. The District is responsible for replacement from the curb box to the water main. 

    The District is working towards identifying financing programs to assist homeowners with service line replacements. We have also applied for state funding to support the replacement program which may determine the types of financial assistance that will become available. We will provide more information as it becomes available. 

  • When will replacement take place?

    Under the current LCRR, EPA has proposed a requirement that all public water systems replace lead service lines by 2037.