FAIRFIELD FOOD & GAS Lead Service Line Inventory
What is this water system?
FAIRFIELD FOOD & GAS serves 25 people in New York (PWSID: NY3920006). It operates a groundwater system. The utility has inventoried 10 service lines so far.
What's the lead situation here?
This small system has identified 1 confirmed lead service line, 2 non-lead lines, and 7 lines of unknown material. That unknown category is important: those pipes haven't been tested or inspected yet, so their material remains unclear. They could be lead, or they could be safe—the utility needs to determine that.
Because this is a very small system, even one lead line represents a meaningful portion of the inventory. But the fact that an inventory exists at all means the utility is tracking the problem.
Why does this matter?
Lead service lines carry water from the main pipe under the street into your home. If your line is lead, water sitting in that pipe overnight or between uses can pick up lead particles. This is a particular concern for babies, young children, and pregnant people, whose bodies absorb lead more easily.
If you live in this service area, you may or may not have a lead line—the inventory is still incomplete. The utility needs to identify those 7 unknown lines.
What should residents do?
Contact FAIRFIELD FOOD & GAS directly to ask about your service line material. If you don't know your address or account number, have it ready when you call. They should be able to tell you whether your line is confirmed lead, non-lead, or still unknown.
If your line is unknown, ask what the timeline is for testing or inspection. If it's confirmed lead, ask whether the utility has a replacement program or plan—that information would help you understand your options.
In the meantime, you can reduce lead exposure by flushing your tap (letting water run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking) if the water has been sitting. The CDC has more guidance on reducing lead in drinking water.
Next steps for residents
- Contact FAIRFIELD FOOD & GAS to ask about your specific service line material
- Request an update timeline if your line is still unknown
- Flush taps before drinking if water has been sitting idle for hours
- For health concerns, speak with your pediatrician or contact the CDC
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 10 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if my water line is made of lead?
Contact your water utility with your address. They should have records or inspection results showing your service line material. If they say it's 'unknown,' ask them to test or inspect it.
Is it safe to drink water from a lead service line?
Lead can leach into water sitting in lead pipes, especially overnight. Flushing the tap helps reduce exposure, but the safest step is replacement. For health questions specific to your family, speak with your pediatrician.
Who pays to replace a lead service line?
That varies by utility and location. Some utilities cover the full cost, others split it with homeowners. Contact FAIRFIELD FOOD & GAS to ask about their replacement policy or program.
What does 'unknown' mean in a lead inventory?
It means the utility hasn't yet determined the material of that service line—it could be lead, copper, or something else. Ask your utility when they plan to test or inspect those lines.