Lead Service Lines in Dover, DE
What you need to know
About 260,000 people in the Dover area get water from 91 different water systems. Lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main under the street to your home—are a real concern, but they're also preventable. If your home has one, you have options.
Right now, the water systems serving Dover haven't reported confirmed lead service lines in their inventories. That doesn't mean they don't exist; it often means testing and data collection are still underway. Delaware's water utilities are required to identify lead service lines and share that information with customers.
How to find out if your home is at risk
Your home is more likely to have a lead service line if it was built before 1986, when lead pipes were phased out of building codes. Homes built in the 1950s–1980s are highest risk.
The best way to know is to contact your water utility directly. The five largest systems serving the Dover area are:
- Rehoboth Pump District (serves ~81,400 people)
- Bethany Bay Pump District (serves ~51,000 people)
- Dover Water Department (serves ~39,500 people)
- Camden Pump District (serves ~17,200 people)
- Garrison Lake Pump District (serves ~17,100 people)
Ask your utility for their lead service line inventory or assessment. They can tell you whether your address has been identified or tested.
What to do if you have a lead service line
If your home has a confirmed lead service line, you have two main paths:
Use a filter. A certified lead-removal filter on your tap (NSF/ANSI 53 certified) reduces lead in drinking and cooking water immediately. These are inexpensive and effective.
Replace the line. Some utilities offer cost-sharing programs or rebates for full service line replacement. Ask your water utility whether they have funding or assistance available.
Both approaches work. A filter is faster; replacement is permanent but more costly upfront.
If you're concerned about your family's exposure
Contact your pediatrician or the CDC for guidance on testing your water or your child's blood lead levels. They can answer health questions that are outside a water utility's scope.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility and ask for their lead service line inventory or assessment
- If you have an older home (pre-1986), request testing or ask how to find out if your address has a lead service line
- If a lead service line is confirmed, explore filter options or ask about replacement programs
- Save your utility's phone number and website for future water quality questions
```json [ { "q": "Does Dover have lead in the water?", "a": "Dover's water systems haven't reported confirmed lead service lines yet, but that doesn't mean they don't exist—testing is ongoing. Lead pipes are a plumbing issue, not a treatment issue. Contact your utility to find out if your home's service line has been tested." }, { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk. Call your water utility with your address and ask for their lead service line inventory. They may have already tested your street or can tell you how to request testing." }, { "q": "Is a lead water filter safe to use?", "a": "Yes, if it's NSF/ANSI 53 certified for lead removal. These filters are affordable, reduce lead in tap water immediately, and don't require professional installation. You'll need to replace the filter cartridge every 6–12 months depending on use." }, { "q": "What should I do if my child drinks water from a lead service line?", "a": "Contact your pediatrician or your local health department. They can advise on