Lead Service Lines in UNH/DURHAM WATER SYS

What you need to know

UNH/DURHAM WATER SYS serves approximately 16,000 people in New Hampshire. Like many water systems across the country, it may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect homes to the public water main. Lead service lines are a potential source of lead in drinking water, especially in homes built before the 1980s.

The good news: you can take steps to protect your household right now, whether or not your home has a lead service line.

Where this water system stands

UNH/DURHAM WATER SYS has not yet made its lead service line inventory publicly available. This means the water system is still in the process of locating and documenting which homes and businesses are served by lead pipes.

This is normal. The EPA required all US water systems to complete their first lead service line inventory by October 2024. Many systems are still organizing and publishing this information. No public data being available yet does not mean there is no lead—it means the inventory work is ongoing.

What you should do now

You don't need to wait for the full inventory. Here are practical steps:

Check your home's age and pipes. Homes built before 1980 are more likely to have lead service lines. If you can safely access the area where the water line enters your home (usually in the basement or crawl space), look for dull gray pipes that are soft enough to scratch slightly with a coin. This is a quick way to flag possible lead.

Get your water tested. A simple water test is the most reliable way to know if lead is actually in your drinking water. Many labs can do this affordably; contact your local health department for referrals.

Use simple steps to reduce exposure. Flush cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking. Use cold water for drinking and cooking, not hot. These steps reduce the chance that lead from pipes dissolves into your water.

Stay informed. Check back with UNH/DURHAM WATER SYS for updates on their inventory, or contact them directly to ask when the data will be public.

Next steps for residents

• Call your water utility at your next billing period to ask when their lead service line inventory will be available to the public
• Have your water tested by a certified lab if your home was built before 1980
• If you suspect a lead service line, ask your water utility whether they have a replacement assistance program
• For health concerns, consult your pediatrician or the CDC's lead safety page

```json [ { "q": "Does UNH/DURHAM WATER SYS have lead service lines?", "a": "The water system has not yet published its lead service line inventory. Lead service lines may be present in older homes, but the only way to know for certain is through a water test or inspection of pipes at your property." }, { "q": "Is it safe to drink water from UNH/DURHAM WATER SYS?", "a": "The water system is required to comply with EPA lead and copper rules. If you're concerned, a home water test will tell you whether lead is actually present in your tap water. Many simple steps, like flushing pipes before use, can reduce exposure." }, { "q": "How do I know if my home has a lead service line?", "a": "Check the pipes where water enters your home—lead pipes are dull gray and soft enough to scratch with a coin. Homes built before 1980 are more likely to have them. A plumber can also inspect for you." }, { "q": "When will the inventory be public?", "a": "Contact UNH/DURHAM WATER SYS directly to ask when they'll publish their lead service line inventory. The EPA required all systems to complete inventories by October 2024, but timelines vary for public