SEABROOK WATER DEPT Lead Service Line Inventory

Seabrook Water Dept serves about 14,000 people in New Hampshire. If you're concerned about lead in your water, here's what you need to know about this water system.

What is a lead service line?

A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main under the street. These pipes were legal to install until 1986 and were common in older homes. Water can pick up lead as it travels through these pipes, especially if the water is corrosive or sits in the line for hours.

Not all homes have lead service lines—it depends on when your house was built and connected to the system. The only way to know for sure is to have your line identified or tested.

What does Seabrook Water Dept know about lead lines?

Seabrook Water Dept has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in their system. This means the utility is still in the process of identifying which homes may have lead pipes. Federal law requires all water systems to complete this work by 2024 (with possible extensions), so you should expect updates from the utility over the coming months.

If you want to know the current status of the inventory or find out whether your address has been checked, contact Seabrook Water Dept directly. They can tell you what they've found so far and what happens next.

What should you do right now?

You don't need to panic, but you should take a few practical steps:

• Test your water if your home was built before 1990 or you're unsure about your pipes. A simple lead test costs $20–50 and tells you whether lead is in your drinking water right now.
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water dissolves lead faster than cold.
• Let water run for 30 seconds before using it if the water has been sitting in your pipes (like first thing in the morning).
• Contact your water utility to ask whether your address has been included in the lead line inventory and what they've found.

Next steps for residents

• Call or email Seabrook Water Dept to ask about your service line status.
• Order a lead test kit from your state health department or a certified lab.
• If you rent, notify your landlord—they are responsible for addressing lead lines.
• Visit the CDC's page on lead and drinking water for health information.

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```json [ { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Contact your water utility with your address. They can check their inventory records. You can also look at your home's age (pre-1986 homes are higher risk), dig up a small section of the service line and look at it, or hire a plumber to identify it. A water test will tell you if lead is currently in your drinking water, even if you're not sure about the pipe." }, { "q": "Is lead in water dangerous?", "a": "Lead in drinking water is a real health concern, especially for children and pregnant people. The CDC recommends testing if you have a lead service line or your home was built before 1991. Talk to your doctor or pediatrician about your specific situation." }, { "q": "What should I do if I find lead in my water test?", "a": "Use bottled water for drinking and cooking until you take action. Contact your water utility to report the result—they may provide a free or reduced-cost test. To fix the problem permanently, you'll likely need to replace the service line, which your utility may help pay for through federal grants or low-interest loans." }, { "q": "When will my water utility finish mapping all lead service lines?", "a": "Federal law requires completion by 2024, though extensions are possible. Contact Seabrook Water Dept directly to ask when they expect to finish their inventory in your