Lead service lines in Rochester, NH

Rochester's 26,750 residents are served by 11 public water systems. The largest is Rochester Water Dept, which supplies about 25,000 people. The others serve smaller areas, from neighborhoods with a few hundred residents to individual developments.

What we know about lead service lines here

Lead service lines are pipes that carry water from the water main (in the street) to your home. They can leach lead into drinking water, especially in homes built before the 1980s.

For Rochester, current inventory data is not yet available from the water utilities. This is normal—water systems across New Hampshire are still completing their lead service line inventories as required by federal rule. Completion deadlines extend into 2024–2025.

This means no utility in Rochester has publicly reported a count of confirmed lead service lines, galvanized lines, or unknown lines yet.

How to find out if your home has a lead service line

Your water utility is the best source. Contact Rochester Water Dept (the most likely provider for your address) or whichever utility serves your area, and ask:

Does my address have a lead service line?
Do you have an inventory map I can check?
What testing options do you offer?

If your home was built before 1986, the risk is higher—lead service lines were more common then.

What to do about it

If you're concerned, you can:

Have your water tested by an EPA-certified lab. Some utilities offer free or subsidized testing.
Use a point-of-use filter rated for lead (NSF/ANSI Standard 53) while you investigate further.
Flush your pipes before drinking: run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes first thing in the morning or after 6+ hours without use.
Contact your pediatrician or the CDC if you have questions about health impacts, especially for children under 6.

Next steps for residents

Call Rochester Water Dept or your local utility to ask about lead service line inventory data.
Request a free water test if your home was built before 1986.
Ask your utility about rebate or funding programs for lead service line replacement.

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Utilities serving Rochester

ROCHESTER WATER DEPT

PWSID NH2001010 · serves 25,000

—known lead

BAXTER LAKE RECREATION

PWSID NH2007030 · serves 550

—known lead

NEWFIELDS VLG WATER AND SEWER

PWSID NH1681010 · serves 550

—known lead

ACORN TERRACE

PWSID NH2003020 · serves 215

—known lead

ROCHESTER CONSECUTIVE WTR SYS

PWSID NH2001030 · serves 171

—known lead

STRAFFORD INN

PWSID NH0818050 · serves 60

—known lead

INN AT SECRETARIAT ESTATES

PWSID NH2004010 · serves 54

—known lead

CORNERSTONE VNA

PWSID NH2006020 · serves 45

—known lead

MEADOWBROOK VILLAGE

PWSID NH2002040 · serves 40

—known lead

VOLKSWAGEN OF ROCHESTER

PWSID NH2009020 · serves 35

—known lead

Common questions

How do I know if I have a lead service line in Rochester, NH?

Contact your water utility (Rochester Water Dept for most residents) and ask directly. You can also check property records or hire a licensed plumber to inspect the pipe entering your home—lead is soft and silver-gray. Some utilities have inventory maps available.

Is lead in drinking water dangerous?

Lead can be harmful, especially to children under 6 and pregnant women. Talk to your pediatrician or visit the CDC website for health guidance. Using a filter (NSF/ANSI 53) and flushing your pipes can reduce exposure while you address the service line.

Can I get my water tested for lead in Rochester?

Yes. Contact Rochester Water Dept to ask about free or low-cost testing. You can also use an EPA-certified private lab. Testing is simple and usually takes a few days for results.

Does Rochester Water Dept have a lead service line replacement program?

Contact them directly—they may have grants, rebates, or low-interest loans. State and federal funding for replacement is expanding, and your utility can explain what's available.