Lead Service Lines in ECWA NEWSTEAD

ECWA NEWSTEAD serves about 5,800 people in New York. Like many older water systems across the US, some homes here may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the main water line under the street to your house.

What we know about lead service lines here

The water system has inventoried 7,406 service lines so far. Here's what they found:

• 10 lines confirmed to contain lead
• 5,610 lines confirmed to be non-lead (copper, plastic, or other materials)
• 1,786 lines with unknown status — these need further testing or inspection

This means about a quarter of the lines checked still need to be classified. That's not unusual; many systems are still working through older records or difficult-to-access connections.

Why this matters

Lead service lines are the most common source of lead in drinking water. Even if the water itself leaves the treatment plant lead-free, it can pick up lead while traveling through an old service line to your tap—especially in homes built before the 1980s.

If you live in an older home, your line is more likely to be lead. A simple first step is to call your water utility and ask whether your address is on their lead service line list, or what material your service line is made of.

What you can do now

Get your water tested. A basic lead test costs $20–50 and tells you if lead is actually in your tap water right now. Contact your county health department or visit the EPA's water testing locator for certified labs near you.

Run your tap water. If you do have a lead service line, letting the water run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking can flush out stagnant water that's been sitting in the pipe overnight.

Ask about replacement programs. Contact ECWA NEWSTEAD directly to ask if they have a lead service line replacement program, including any costs or assistance programs for homeowners.

If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or doctor about whether additional precautions make sense for your home.

Next steps for residents

• Call ECWA NEWSTEAD and ask if your address has a known lead service line or if your line's material is documented
• Get your tap water tested for lead through a certified lab
• If you find lead in your water, install a point-of-use filter certified for lead, or use bottled water for drinking and cooking
• Check back with your water system annually for updates on their replacement plan

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if I have a lead service line?", "a": "Contact ECWA NEWSTEAD directly with your address—they may have records of your line's material. If not, you can hire a plumber to inspect the line where it enters your home (usually visible in the basement), or have your water tested; high lead levels suggest a lead line. Visual clues include a dull gray metal that scratches easily or a chalky white buildup." }, { "q": "Is lead in the water dangerous?", "a": "Lead has no safe level in drinking water. It's especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. For health concerns, contact your doctor or pediatrician, or call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO." }, { "q": "Can I remove lead from my tap water myself?", "a": "Yes—running the tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before use helps, and NSF-certified point-of-use filters (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) remove lead. Boiling water does not remove lead. For the most protection, install a filter rated for lead reduction." }, { "q": "Does ECWA NEWSTEAD have a program to replace lead service lines?