PATUXENT NAVAL AIR STATION (NAVFAC-WASH) Lead Service Line Inventory
Patuxent Naval Air Station (NAVFAC-WASH) serves approximately 22,000 people in Maryland. Like all water systems in the U.S., it is required by federal law to identify and report lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main to individual buildings.
What we know about this water system
Patuxent Naval Air Station draws its water from groundwater sources. As of now, the system has not completed a full lead service line inventory, meaning the exact count of lead lines is unknown. This is not unusual; many water systems across the country are still in the process of surveying their infrastructure and identifying which lines contain lead.
Why this matters
Lead service lines can leach lead into drinking water, especially in homes with certain water chemistry conditions or when corrosion control isn't optimized. Even small amounts of lead exposure can affect health, particularly for children and pregnant people. Knowing whether your home has a lead service line is the first step toward protection.
What you can do now
Contact your water utility directly. Call Patuxent Naval Air Station's water operations or visit their office to ask:
- Whether your specific address has a known lead service line
- What the timeline is for completing the full inventory
- Whether water testing is available (free or low-cost)
- What steps are being taken to reduce lead in drinking water
If you're concerned about lead exposure, the CDC recommends having your water tested and discussing health risks with your pediatrician or doctor.
Federal requirements
All community water systems must complete a lead service line inventory and submit it to their state drinking water authority by October 2024. This information is then made public. If Patuxent Naval Air Station's inventory is still in progress, ask when it will be available.
Next steps for residents
- Contact the water utility to ask about your building's service line material and get results from any water testing they've done
- Request a free or low-cost water test if your home was built before 1986 (when lead solder was common) or if you live in an older neighborhood
- Consider point-of-use filters certified to remove lead while you wait for more information (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53)
- Review CDC guidance on reducing lead exposure at home and talk to your doctor if you have health concerns
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does my house have a lead service line?
You won't know unless your water utility has identified it or you dig up your service line. Contact Patuxent Naval Air Station's water office with your address; they may have records from the inventory process or historical construction documents.
Is it safe to drink tap water if there might be a lead line?
It depends on your water's corrosion control and chemistry. The safest approach: get your water tested for lead (free or low-cost through your health department) and use a certified filter until you know more.
When will the full lead service line inventory be done?
Federal law requires all water systems to complete inventories by October 2024. Call the utility directly to ask for their timeline and when results will be public.
What should I do if my child has been exposed to lead?
Talk to your pediatrician or contact the CDC's lead hotline for guidance. Blood lead testing can determine exposure levels and doctors can advise on next steps.