A water service line is a small, buried pipe that brings water from water mains in the streets into homes and other buildings. If any part of the line is lead, it can release lead into your drinking water. Providence Water's goal is to replace all lead service lines in the communities we serve within 10 years in accordance with RI Legislation, as funding allows.
How do I find out if I have a lead service line?
Visit our Lead Service Line Location Map at www.provwater.com/leadmap to learn if you have a lead service line. Enter the building address or your Providence Water account number in the web page.
What is Lead? How does lead get into my water?
Lead is a natural element found in small amounts in the earth's crust. The drinking water that leaves the treatment plant in Scituate and goes through the Providence Water piping system has no detectable levels of lead. Lead can enter drinking water when the water touches materials that have lead. These materials can include lead service lines that connect your house to the water main. They can also include lead pipes in your home and parts of your plumbing, including chrome-plated brass faucets.
What are the health effects of lead?
Anyone can suffer health effects from exposure to lead, but lead is most dangerous to children younger than six years old and people who are pregnant. Lead can hurt a child's brain and nervous system and slow down growth and development. People exposed to lead as children can have lifelong difficulties with learning and behavior and may have trouble paying attention. Even small amounts of lead can harm a child. While it is rarely the primary cause of lead poisoning in Rhode Island, drinking water can be a source of lead. If a building was built or plumbed before 2014, it could have plumbing materials containing lead. For more information about health effects of lead visit health.ri.gov/lead.
How do I know if I have lead in my water?
All Providence Water customers (property owners and tenants) within Providence Water’s retail area may request a free lead testing kit. Call our Water Quality hotline at (401) 521-6303 during our normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm, to have a free lead test kit mailed to your home or business.
I have a lead service line, should I replace it?
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. You can reduce potential exposure to lead in your drinking water by replacing your lead service line. Eligible property owners are encouraged to sign up for Providence Water’s Accelerated Lead Service Line Replacement Program! We encourage you to join this opportunity to remove a known source of lead from your property and minimize lead levels at your tap.
Who is eligible for a free replacement? How can someone check?
Providence Water will replace as many lead service lines for free as funding allows.
Everyone can replace their line. You can check if you are eligible and sign up for free replacement on the lead service line material map: www.provwater.com/leadmap.
If your location is not currently eligible, you may qualify for a 10-year, 0% interest loan to fund your replacement. Call Providence Water's Water Quality hotline at (401) 521-6303 to learn more about our loan program.
If I replace my private-side lead line, will Providence Water replace the line on the public side? Do I have to pay for that too?
Property owners do not have to pay for the public side service line replacement; public side replacements will be constructed at no cost to the property owner. If your property is in an eligible area, your private side replacement is FREE. You can check if you are eligible and sign up for a free replacement on the lead service line material map: www.provwater.com/leadmap.
What will replacement construction look like in my front yard/sidewalk area?
The contractor will temporarily restore your sidewalk and yard immediately after replacing your line.
The contractor will replace asphalt or concrete, and restore grass with topsoil and seeding as needed. The contractor will not restore other landscaping, so please move plants and bushes out of the replacement area ahead of time.
How Can I Reduce Lead in My Drinking Water?
Take the following steps to protect yourself from lead in your water:
Sign up to replace your lead service line. Providence Water aims to replace all lead service lines within 10 years to comply with RI legislation, as funding allows
Run cold water before using. The longer the water stays in the plumbing, the more lead it may have. If the water in the faucet has been sitting for more than 6 hours, run water for 3 to 5 minutes before using it. Showering and flushing the toilet also help flush your water line.
Use cold water for cooking and drinking (and making baby formula). Lead dissolves into hot water more easily than cold water. If you need hot water, draw cold water and then heat it. It is safe to shower, wash dishes, and do laundry with hot water from the tap. Lead does not affect humans through the skin.
Remove and clean faucet strainers. Every 3 months, remove and clean strainers at the tip of faucets to remove build up.
Remove the faucet strainers from all taps.
Rinse the faucet strainers.
Run the water without the strainer for 3 to 5 minutes.
Replace faucet strainers.
Use filters. Consider using a faucet or pitcher filter. Be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead (NSF 53/42-certified): visit https://tinyurl.com/nsf-filter to learn more about water filters.
Replace internal building plumbing that may have lead. Potential lead sources include lead pipes, lead-based solder, and brass fixtures and valves (including faucets).
What if I do NOT replace my lead service line?
The pipe will continue releasing lead into your drinking water.
What happens when I sign up for a lead service line replacement?
We will review your address for eligibility for a free replacement. Then we will reach out via email to confirm eligibility and give a schedule update or direct you to funding options if you are not currently eligible for a free replacement. If you are eligible for free replacement, you will receive schedule updates via email about every 3-6 months until your address is scheduled for replacement.