Lead & Galvanized Steel Service Line Replacement Program FAQ

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) in the Federal Register on October 30, 2024. The LCRI requires all water systems to replace all lead service lines and galvanized service lines requiring replacement between 2027 and 2037.

The RWA has already replaced the vast majority of lead pipes on the utility-maintained side of the service lines (between the water main and the curb stop). However, the LCRI also requires the RWA to replace any lead service lines or galvanized service lines requiring replacement on the customer-maintained side of the service line (between the curb stop and the house).

The RWA is proactively working to comply with the LCRI and continue to protect the health of all the customers in our system.

Lead was commonly used for water service lines until 1960 and commonly used in household plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) and solder until 1986, when it was banned. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead to be categorized as, “Lead free”. After 2014, standards for “Lead free” fixtures allow no more than 0.25% of lead content. Many homes and buildings, especially those built before 1986, may have service lines and/or internal plumbing and fixtures that are made of or contain lead.

Galvanized service lines requiring replacement are service lines that are or were downstream of a lead service line or an unknown service line. Galvanized service lines are pipes that have a protective zinc coating on them to prevent corrosion and rust. The protective coating on the galvanized pipe can react with lead particles in water which could cause them to settle in the pipe. Any residual particles could dissolve back into the water in the future and be carried downstream into the home or building.

The RWA is currently developing a plan to replace lead and galvanized service lines requiring replacement throughout their entire service area. Within the service area, the RWA has identified seven confirmed and ten suspected lead service lines. Of these 17 potential lead service lines, 12 are in Milford. Because this area has the highest density of lead service lines in the system, the RWA is maximizing efficiency by starting replacements in this area.

To look up the material type of your service line, please check the lead service line map to search for your address. If the material is unknown, you can conduct our Materials Verification Survey to help determine if you have a lead, galvanized, copper, or plastic service line on the portion of the service line you own. When you have completed the visual inspection, follow the link to submit your results. You can also call 833-RWA-LEAD (833-792-5323) to schedule a water service line inspection with our contractor, CDM Smith.

You should replace your lead service line to protect your personal health and your family’s health. No amount of lead is safe for humans to consume, which is why the RWA adds a safe corrosion inhibitor to its drinking water that stops lead from leaching from pipes into drinking water. Young children (under 6 years old) and the elderly can be more affected by lead exposure. They, along with pregnant women, may be at a higher public health risk to lead.

Replacement of service lines through the RWA’s program has no direct cost to the property owner.

The RWA will engage industry experts that you can trust to complete the work on your property, so you can rest assured the replacement is of high quality.

As part of its lead service line replacement program, the RWA will replace all lead service lines and galvanized service lines requiring replacement at no direct cost to the property owner or tenant. If the property owner chooses to not participate in the program, future replacement will be at the cost of the property owner.

No, the RWA is not currently reimbursing property owners for the cost of replacements done outside of the RWA replacement program.

Not necessarily. If you live in a building that was built prior to 1986, it is possible that your plumbing fixtures contain lead, or that lead solder was used at the joints of your interior piping. A licensed plumber can help figure out if you have lead material in your indoor plumbing.

If you have a lead service line or galvanized service line requiring replacement, submit a right-of-entry (ROE) form to the RWA to start the replacement process. You can find right-of-entry forms in the customer portal TRINNEX LINK PLACEHOLDER.

You can also obtain a hard copy of the ROE by contacting the RWA at 1-833-RWA-LEAD (833-792-5323). Hard copy ROEs can be scanned and emailed to TRusso@rwater.com or mailed to:

Regional Water Authority
Attention: Tracy Russo
90 Sargent Drive
New Haven, CT 06511

Only property owners can complete the Replacement Agreement. If you are a tenant, please let your landlord know about this program.

The RWA is required to replace all lead service lines and galvanized service lines requiring replacement by 2037. The RWA is preparing a plan to determine when service lines will be replaced. Once a plan is in place, the RWA will reach out to property owners directly regarding signing ROEs and scheduling the service line replacement. The RWA ‘’s goal is to replace all lead service lines and galvanized service lines requiring replacement well ahead of 2037.

The new homeowner will need to complete the Replacement Agreement. Please keep us informed of ownership changes.

Lead is a public health risk. According to the U.S. EPA, there is no safe level of lead that can be consumed or ingested. The RWA strongly recommends replacing your lead service line now. If you do not, you risk:

• Lead leaching into your drinking water. The RWA adds corrosion control treatment to the water to lower the risk of lead being released from service lines. However, even with this corrosion control treatment, if you are away from your home or building several hours or days, lead may leach into your drinking water sitting in the lead pipe.
• Higher replacement costs at a later date. Any remaining lead service lines are likely to be over 70 years old and will eventually fail. Homeowners who wait until their service line fails will be responsible for the cost of replacement.

Once the Right-of-Entry form has been completed and submitted to the RWA, the RWA’s contractor will reach out to schedule. Weather, contractor availability and municipal regulations can play a role in the work timeline.

The 2025 replacements in Milford are expected to start in winter 2025.

The RWA’s contractor will have the RWA’s badges to identify themselves.

Yes. One building resident above the age of 18 must be home during replacement, as contractors will need access to the home or building.

On construction day, water service will be turned off for no more than 8 hours, and some sections of your street may be closed for a portion of the day.

The contractor’s work is guaranteed for one year after the work is completed and the contractor will provide contact information if there are any issues within that one-year period. The contractor is insured as well, as noted in the replacement agreement.

The contractor will disturb a small section of sidewalk or yard (an approximately 4-foot by 4-foot area) and temporarily restore this area immediately after replacing your line. The contractor will return three to six months after replacement for final restoration, replacing asphalt or concrete and restoring grass with topsoil and seeding. The contractor will review the area of the work with you to avoid disturbing trees and other landscaping. For more information on the lead service line replacement program process, from inspection to post-construction, watch our Video of LSL Replacement.

Before contractors start digging for replacement, the RWA asks that you remove any bushes or plantings temporarily out of this area. Once your service line is replaced, you can move them back to their original location. If you do not move any bushes/plantings prior to replacement, the RWA is not responsible for their replacement.

The contractor that is actually performing the work will be responsible for any claim in connection to the right of entry form for damage to your property or assets on your property. The RWA and its contractor are not responsible for any damage caused by faulty existing electrical (such as incorrect grounding) or plumbing systems within your home or on your property. If the RWA or its contractor detect any improper electrical or grounding, the property owner will be notified to first contact an electrician to correct the electrical issues before the lead service line replacement work can proceed.

Step-by- step instructions will be provided to you at the time of your replacement. Here is a quick overview of full-house flushing, which you only need to do immediately after replacement and every other week for the three months following:

• Start from the lowest level in your home and fully open one high flowing/high-volume faucet (e.g., utility sink, tub, kitchen or bathroom sink). Continue to move up the levels of your home, opening fully one high flowing/volume faucet per level. When all faucets are running, set a timer for 30 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes, turn the faucets off, starting at the lowest level and working your way up.
• After flushing, remove the strainer from each sink faucet, rinse or clean it, then run the faucet without the aerator for 5 minutes. Replace or clean the strainer.
• For six months after replacement, run cold water for 5 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking each day.

If your house or apartment was built before 1978, you may have lead paint in your home or other conditions that may affect the health of your family. Lead-based paint, even if hidden under layers of newer, lead-free paint, can break down because of age, poor maintenance, or household repairs. Lead can also be found in soil, jewelry, toys, and older pottery. Visit https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead for more information about keeping your home safe from lead hazards.

Replace your lead service line.

Always buy plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) that meet lead-free requirements. Read the labels of any new plumbing fixtures closely.

For drinking water: Run your cold water tap for approximately 5 minutes to flush out any lead that may have leached into the pipes. Then fill a pitcher with fresh water and place in the refrigerator for future use.

Always use fresh, cold, running water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula.

Do not boil water for the purpose of removing lead. Boiling water does not remove lead and can increase lead concentration in water.

Periodically remove and clean faucet screens and aerators.

Obtain a home water treatment device that is NSF53 certified to remove lead.

Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead and any copper piping with lead solder.

Water service lines are sometimes used to ground electrical lines. The wiring in your home or building may be attached to your water service line or elsewhere in your plumbing. If you have a lead service line, this can accelerate its corrosion. Have a licensed electrician check your wiring.

Be careful of other sources of lead in your home. Some household items such as pottery, makeup, toys, and jewelry may contain lead. Wash your children’s hands and toys often. For more information on other sources of lead, visit the EPA’s Protect Your Family From Sources of Lead page.