Lead Service Lines in Manchester, Connecticut
What you need to know
Manchester Water Department serves about 51,200 people in Connecticut. Like many older water systems across the US, Manchester may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main under the street to homes built before 1986.
The current status: Manchester Water Department has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility doesn't yet have a detailed map of which homes are connected via lead pipes. An inventory is the essential first step to understanding the scope of potential exposure.
Why this matters
Lead is a serious health concern, especially for young children and pregnant people. Even small amounts in drinking water can affect brain development. If your home was built before the late 1980s and you're connected to Manchester's water system, there's a possibility your service line contains lead—but the only way to know is to test your water or contact the utility directly.
What Manchester Water is doing
Federal rules require all water systems to inventory lead service lines and develop replacement plans. Manchester Water Department is required to complete its inventory and share findings with residents. Once the inventory is complete, the utility will publish details about which neighborhoods or street segments are most likely to have lead service lines.
Check back periodically with the utility for updates on their inventory progress.
How to protect your family right now
- Test your water: Contact Manchester Water Department and ask about free or low-cost lead testing. Results will tell you whether lead is present in your home's water.
- Use a filter: If testing shows lead, or while you wait for results, an NSF-certified filter rated for lead removal can reduce exposure.
- Flush the tap: If water has sat in pipes overnight, run the cold tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking.
- Never use hot tap water for drinking or cooking; hot water dissolves lead faster.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Manchester Water Department to ask about their lead service line inventory timeline and request water testing
- Get your water tested if your home was built before 1986
- Use a certified lead-removal filter while awaiting test results or inventory information
- Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about your family's lead exposure
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Manchester Water Department have lead service lines?
Manchester Water Department has not yet completed an inventory of lead service lines in its system. The utility is required to complete this inventory under federal law. Until the inventory is finished, the best way to know if your home has a lead service line is to contact the utility directly or get your water tested.
How can I find out if my house has a lead service line?
Contact Manchester Water Department and provide your address—they can tell you if your service line is known to contain lead or is on a street targeted for lead pipes. You can also request a free or low-cost lead water test. If your home was built before 1986, the risk is higher.
Is Manchester's tap water safe to drink?
Manchester Water Department treats and tests its water to meet federal safety standards. However, lead can enter water through aging service lines on the customer's side. The only way to know if lead is in *your* water is to test it.
What should I do if I'm worried about lead in my water?
Request a lead water test from Manchester Water Department. While waiting for results, use an NSF-certified lead-removal filter and flush the tap before drinking. Talk to your pediatrician if you have health concerns.