ROCHESTER CITY Water System Lead Service Line Inventory
Rochester City serves about 210,000 people in New York. Like many older cities, it uses lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main in the street to homes. Lead can leach into drinking water, especially in homes with older plumbing. This page explains what Rochester City knows about its lead lines and what you can do.
What Rochester City has found
Rochester City has inventoried 56,540 service lines so far. Here's the breakdown:
- 14,561 confirmed lead service lines
- 15,566 lines of unknown material (likely older pipes that need testing to confirm)
- 26,413 non-lead lines (safe)
About one in four lines Rochester City has checked so far is confirmed lead. Another one in four has an unknown status.
Why this matters
If you live in Rochester City, there's roughly a 1 in 4 chance your service line is lead. Even if it is, the risk depends on your water's chemistry, the age of your line, and whether you have other lead sources in your home (like paint or solder). The CDC and EPA agree: lead exposure has no safe level, especially for children.
What you should do
Find out if your line is lead. Contact Rochester City and ask your service line material. If they don't know yet, you can:
- Check if your home was built before 1986 (more likely to have lead)
- Have a plumber inspect the line where it enters your home
- Get your water tested (free or low-cost tests may be available locally)
If your line is lead or unknown, reduce exposure now:
- Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking
- Use cold water for cooking and baby formula (hot water dissolves lead faster)
- Clean aerators on faucets monthly
- Consider a faucet or pitcher filter certified for lead removal
If you rent, your landlord is responsible for telling you if the building's line is lead and for any repairs.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Rochester City water department and ask your service line status and material
- Request a free or low-cost water test if you haven't had one
- If your line is lead or unknown, start using the precautions above immediately
- Check the EPA's water lead guidance for more detailed steps
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 56,540 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Contact Rochester City water department with your address and ask your service line material. If they don't have a record, your home's age (pre-1986 is higher risk) is a clue. A plumber can also inspect the line where it enters your home.
Is lead in water dangerous for kids?
Lead is harmful to children's brain development and has no safe exposure level. If you're concerned about your family, talk to your pediatrician or call the CDC's environmental health hotline.
Can I remove lead from my tap water?
Yes. NSF-certified faucet filters and pitcher filters reduce lead. Also run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, and use cold water for cooking and baby formula.
Why does Rochester City have so many unknown service lines?
Older cities like Rochester often lack complete records of pipe materials installed decades ago. Identifying unknown lines requires field inspection or testing, which takes time and resources.