ROSWELL MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM: Lead Service Line Inventory

About This Water System

Roswell Municipal Water System serves approximately 54,025 people in New Mexico. The system draws water from groundwater sources.

Lead Service Line Inventory Status

As of our last update, no lead service line inventory data was publicly available for Roswell Municipal Water System. The utility has not yet published counts of lead, galvanized, or non-lead service lines in their system.

This does not mean there are no lead service lines—it means the inventory has not been completed or shared publicly. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires all water systems to develop and maintain an inventory of service lines, but timelines and public reporting vary by state and utility.

What You Should Know

Lead service lines are a real concern. If your home was built before 1980, there's a higher chance your service line (the pipe that connects your home to the public water main) contains lead. Water sitting in a lead service line can pick up lead, especially if your water is slightly acidic or soft.

You can't tell by looking whether your service line is lead. The only way to know for sure is to:

• Contact Roswell Municipal Water System directly and ask about your specific address
• Have your water tested by a certified lab (EPA-approved testing kits are also available)
• Ask a plumber to inspect the line during repairs or upgrades

Even if your service line is not lead, galvanized steel pipes (common in older homes) can also leach lead and should be considered.

Reducing Your Risk

• Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water dissolves lead faster.
• Flush your pipes. Let water run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes after it's been sitting overnight.
• Consider a filter. NSF-certified filters can reduce lead in drinking water.
• Test your water. It's the clearest way to know if lead is present in your home.

For health concerns, consult the CDC's lead and health information or your pediatrician.

Next Steps for Residents

• Contact Roswell Municipal Water System to ask about lead service lines at your address and when the inventory will be public.
• Test your drinking water through a certified laboratory or EPA-approved home test kit.
• Check your home's age. If built before 1980, prioritize testing and flushing practices.
• Ask about replacement programs. Some utilities offer financial help to replace lead service lines.

```json [ { "q": "Does Roswell Municipal Water System have lead in the water?", "a": "The system has not published a public inventory of lead service lines yet, so specific counts are unknown. Lead can enter water through service lines or household plumbing, not from the treatment plant itself. Testing your tap water is the best way to know if lead is present in your home." }, { "q": "How do I find out if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Call Roswell Municipal Water System and ask about your address. You can also have a plumber inspect the line, or look at your home's age—houses built before 1980 are more likely to have lead or galvanized pipes." }, { "q": "Is it safe to drink tap water from Roswell?", "a": "Roswell treats its water to meet federal safety standards. However, lead can enter water in the pipes between the plant and your home. Testing your tap water removes guesswork about lead at your specific address." }, { "q": "What should I do if I'm worried about lead?", "a": "Start by testing your water through a certified lab or home test kit. Use cold water for drinking and cooking, and flush pipes after they