SALEM AND BEVERLY WATER SUPPLY BOARD Lead Service Line Inventory
What you need to know
The Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board serves approximately 90,330 people across Massachusetts. The utility draws from surface water sources.
Lead service line inventory status: As of now, the utility has not yet inventoried its lead service lines. This means they have not yet published a public count of how many homes or buildings in their system are connected via lead pipes.
Federal law requires all water utilities to complete a lead service line inventory by October 2024 and to share that information with customers. If your utility hasn't published their inventory yet, they are required to do so. You can check their website or call directly to ask when the inventory will be available.
Why this matters
Lead service lines are pipes that connect homes to the water main buried under the street. Older homes (built before 1986) are more likely to have them. Water traveling through lead pipes can pick up lead, which poses serious health risks—especially for children and pregnant people.
You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water. A water filter or boiling does not remove it. The only reliable way to know your home's risk is to find out whether your service line is made of lead.
How to find out about your home
Start by contacting the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board directly. Ask them:
- Does my address have a lead service line?
- When will the full inventory be public?
- What testing or replacement programs do they offer?
If they cannot tell you immediately, ask for the name and timeline of their inventory project. You can also request a water quality report, which may contain general information about lead in the system.
If you're concerned about lead exposure, the CDC and your pediatrician are the best resources for health guidance.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your utility and ask if your address is on a lead service line.
- Request a copy of the lead service line inventory when it becomes available.
- Ask about testing and replacement programs your utility may offer.
- Get a water sample tested if you're concerned; your utility can direct you to certified labs.
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board have lead in the water?
Lead in drinking water usually comes from old lead service lines or pipes in homes, not from the water source itself. The utility hasn't yet published a lead service line inventory, so you won't know if your home is at risk until they do. Contact them to ask about your specific address.
How do I know if I have a lead service line?
Call the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board and ask if your address has a lead service line. You can also check your home's age (built before 1986 = higher risk) and look at the pipe connection where it enters your home—lead is soft, dull gray, and can be scratched with a coin. A water test can also reveal lead.
Is it safe to drink water from a lead service line?
Lead in drinking water poses health risks, especially for children under 6 and pregnant people. If you think your home has a lead service line, contact your water utility about testing, replacement programs, or interim steps like using a certified filter. The CDC website has detailed guidance.
When will the inventory be available?
Federal law requires the inventory by October 2024. Call or visit the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board's website to ask when they'll publish theirs and how you can access it.