Lead Service Lines in ECWA LANCASTER's Water System

ECWA LANCASTER serves about 29,000 people in New York. Like many water systems across the state, it uses both surface water sources and has a mix of service line materials throughout its distribution network.

What We Know About Lead Service Lines Here

The utility has inventoried 7,406 service lines so far. Here's what that inventory shows:

• 10 confirmed lead service lines
• 5,610 non-lead service lines
• 1,786 lines with unknown material

The unknown category is significant—nearly a quarter of inventoried lines. These are typically older pipes where records are incomplete or the material hasn't been verified yet. Unknown lines are often galvanized steel, copper, or plastic, but some may contain lead.

Why This Matters

Lead service lines are the most common source of lead in drinking water. Even if your utility's water treatment removes lead, corrosive water can cause lead to leach from the pipe itself into your tap water—especially in homes with older plumbing.

The 10 confirmed lead lines in this system represent about 0.1% of the inventoried total, which is relatively low. However, the large number of unknown lines means the true picture isn't complete yet.

What Happens Next

New York State requires all water systems to complete their lead service line inventories and develop replacement plans. ECWA LANCASTER is in this process. The utility should be identifying which unknown lines need further investigation and prioritizing replacements based on public health risk.

Your Home's Risk

Your risk depends on three things:

1. Whether your home has a lead service line. Contact ECWA LANCASTER to ask about your property. 2. Your home's interior plumbing. Older copper pipes with lead solder or brass fixtures can also leach lead. 3. Your water's chemistry. Utilities adjust treatment to reduce corrosion, but this isn't perfect.

The safest assumption: use a water filter certified for lead removal if your home was built before 1987, or test your water if you're concerned.

Next Steps for Residents

• Contact ECWA LANCASTER to ask whether your service line is lead, galvanized, or unknown.
• Test your tap water for lead if you haven't recently—especially the first draw from the tap in the morning.
• If you have young children or are pregnant, consult your pediatrician or OB-GYN about drinking water precautions.
• Check for a certified lead-removing water filter if your line is lead or unknown (NSF/ANSI Standard 53).

```json [ { "q": "Does ECWA LANCASTER have lead in the water?", "a": "The utility has found 10 confirmed lead service lines in its system of about 7,400 inventoried lines. However, nearly 1,800 lines are still of unknown material and may contain lead. Lead is most likely to enter water through service lines or old home plumbing, not from the treatment plant itself." }, { "q": "How do I know if my home has a lead service line?", "a": "Contact ECWA LANCASTER directly and provide your address or account number. They can check their records. You can also hire a plumber to inspect the line where it enters your home, or collect a water sample and have it tested for lead." }, { "q": "Is lead service line water safe to drink?", "a": "Lead can leach from service lines into tap water, especially if water is corrosive. There is no safe level of lead. If you suspect lead, use an NSF-certified filter, flush the tap before drinking, and consider water testing. For health concerns, consult a doctor." }, { "q": "When will ECWA LANCASTER replace lead service lines?",