SOMERSWORTH WATER WORKS Lead Service Line Inventory
What You Need to Know
Somersworth Water Works serves about 12,000 people in New Hampshire. The utility draws water from surface sources.
As of now, the utility has not yet completed an inventory of lead service lines in the system. This means they haven't yet documented which homes and buildings are connected to the water main with lead pipes. That inventory is required by federal law—utilities must finish by October 2024 (or have a compliance plan in place).
Why This Matters
A lead service line is the pipe that runs from the water main under the street to your home's water meter. If that pipe is made of lead, some lead can dissolve into your drinking water, especially if the water is corrosive or if water sits in the pipes overnight.
Lead exposure is a real health concern, particularly for young children and pregnant people. The only way to know if your home has a lead service line is to either check the utility's inventory or contact the water system directly and ask about your specific address.
What Somersworth Water Works Is Doing
The utility is required by the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule to develop a complete inventory of all service lines and identify which ones are lead. Once that inventory is done, they'll be required to create a plan for replacing lead service lines and share that information with customers.
Somersworth Water Works may have received funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help with replacement work, though details are not yet listed here.
Next Steps for Residents
- Contact the utility directly: Call Somersworth Water Works and ask if your service line is lead. Have your address ready. They may have partial records even if the full inventory isn't public yet.
- Don't wait for the inventory: If you're concerned about lead, request a free water test from your utility or consider having your water tested by a certified lab.
- Check for visible signs: Older homes (built before 1986) are more likely to have lead service lines, but age alone doesn't confirm it.
- If you have young children or are pregnant: Talk to your pediatrician or OB/GYN about lead exposure and water testing.
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Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Somersworth Water Works have lead in the water?
Lead gets into water through pipes, not from the treatment plant itself. Somersworth Water Works hasn't yet completed its inventory of lead service lines, so they can't tell you system-wide numbers yet. Contact the utility with your address to find out about your specific home.
How do I know if I have a lead service line?
Call Somersworth Water Works with your address and ask. You can also have a licensed plumber inspect the pipe where it enters your home—lead pipes are soft and gray, and a magnet won't stick to them. The utility's inventory will eventually list this too.
Is the water safe to drink right now?
Somersworth Water Works tests the water for lead and treats it to reduce corrosion. If you're concerned, ask the utility for a free water test or have it tested by a certified lab. For health questions, especially if you have young children, contact your doctor.
When will the lead service line inventory be finished?
Federal law requires utilities to complete inventories by October 2024. Contact Somersworth Water Works to ask about their timeline and whether they've applied for or received funding to replace lead pipes.