Lead Service Lines: NORTH WEST PUMP DISTRICT

NORTH WEST PUMP DISTRICT serves about 4,149 people in Delaware through groundwater. This page explains what we know about lead service lines in this system and what you can do to protect your household.

What is a lead service line?

A lead service line is the pipe that carries water from the public main into your home. If your house was built before 1986, there's a real possibility your service line contains lead. Lead dissolves into water as it sits in the pipe—especially in acidic or soft water systems, or when water sits overnight.

Even low levels of lead exposure can affect children's brain development. This is not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to act.

What we know about your water system

NORTH WEST PUMP DISTRICT has not yet published a complete inventory of lead service lines in its system. This is common for smaller utilities—the federal government only recently required all water systems to create and share these inventories.

Without a public inventory, here's what we can't tell you:

• How many lead service lines exist in your area
• Whether your specific address has one
• When replacements might happen

This does not mean your water is unsafe—it means the data isn't publicly available yet.

What you should do right now

Contact your water utility directly. NORTH WEST PUMP DISTRICT is your best source for information about your specific property and service line.

Ask them:

• Does my address have a lead service line?
• Do you have a lead service line inventory? When will it be public?
• What steps are you taking to replace lead lines?
• Does your water have corrosion control treatment?

Test your water. A simple test costs $20–50 and tells you if lead is actually present in your home's water. If you have young children or a pregnant member of the household, testing is especially worth doing.

Use a filter if you're concerned. NSF-certified filters marked for lead reduction work quickly and don't require waiting for infrastructure changes. Replace filters on schedule.

Why this matters

Lead service line replacement is the only permanent fix, but it takes years. In the meantime, testing and short-term measures protect you.

Next steps for residents

• Call NORTH WEST PUMP DISTRICT and ask about lead service lines at your address.
• Get your water tested if you have children under 6 or a pregnant household member.
• Use a certified filter while waiting for system-wide improvements.
• Check the EPA's lead-and-copper rule page for updates on your utility's compliance status.

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "The only certain way is to contact your water utility and ask about your specific address, or have a plumber inspect your service line. Your utility may also have a map or inventory available. If your house was built before 1986, lead lines are more likely." }, { "q": "Is the water from NORTH WEST PUMP DISTRICT safe to drink?", "a": "The system provides drinking water that meets federal safety standards, but lead service lines can introduce lead at your home. Testing your own tap water is the best way to know what's actually coming out of your faucet." }, { "q": "What's the fastest way to remove lead from my water?", "a": "A point-of-use filter certified for lead removal works immediately and costs $20–50. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before drinking also helps. Replacing the service line itself is permanent but requires utility involvement." }, { "q": "When will my water system replace lead service lines?", "a": "Contact NORTH WEST PUMP DISTRICT to ask about their replacement timeline and any federal funding (like Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants) that might speed up work