Lead Service Line Inventory Program

As part of the recent Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that every public water supplier take an inventory of all the water service lines in their drinking water system primarily to identify and remove lead service lines. Customers can view Worcester's Service Line Inventory found below.

The water service line is the pipe that conveys drinking water from the water main in the street to the water meter of the home or building. There are approximately 45,000 metered service lines in the City's inventory. Of these 45,000 service lines, the material of approximately 1,000 is currently unknown due to missing information in the records.

Historically, the installation of service lines meeting the definition of a lead service line were not permitted in the City. To date, there has been no discovery of lead service lines while conducting the inventory.

What is My Role in this Program?

If you receive a Worcester Drinking Water Notice in the mail because the materials of your service line are unknown or your home or building in the inventory below indicates the service line material is unknown, please submit a Drinking Water Service Line Inventory Request through Worcester 311 so DPW&P Water Operations staff can coordinate an investigation to identify your service line material.

Worcester Service Line Inventory

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What You Should Know About Lead and Drinking Water

Lead is not naturally occurring in treated drinking water. Our system's water mains that carry the water to you are made mostly of iron, steel 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.

Various regulations and practices protect against the leaching of lead, including corrosion control treatment and the removal of pipe and plumbing materials that may contain lead. Worcester provides corrosion control through the treatment process that protects customers from various sources of lead.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Exposure to Lead from My Drinking Water?

Below are some recommended actions you may take if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water.

Have Your Water Tested

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) maintains a List of Certified Laboratories. In the search criteria, select State (MA), Region (Central) and Analyte (Lead), then hit search.

Run Your Water

The more time water has been sitting in your home's pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home's pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line.

Use Cold Water

Only use cold water for cooking, drinking and making baby formula. Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water.

Clean Your Aerator Regularly

Aerators are small attachments to faucet tips which regulate water flow. Your aerator can accumulate lead particles, which can contaminate your water, so it should be cleaned regularly.

Use Your Filter Properly

If you use a filter, make sure that is certified by a third-party certifier to remove lead. Check the filter and cartridge packaging for these certifications. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter.

Where Can I Get More Information?

More specific information about the Lead and Copper Rule and its revisions may be found on the EPA Website

For more information, or if you have questions contact Worcester DPW&P Water Operations at 508-929-1300 or ServiceLineInventory@worcesterma.gov.