Lead Service Lines at Cranberry Lake Biological Station
Cranberry Lake Biological Station serves 90 people in New York. The utility has completed an inventory of its water pipes and identified which ones may contain lead.
What the inventory shows
The station has cataloged 39,209 service lines (the pipes connecting the main water line to individual buildings). Here's what they found:
- 17,253 lines confirmed to contain lead
- 16,719 lines of unknown composition (material not yet determined)
- 5,237 non-lead lines
Because a large portion of the inventory remains unclassified, the actual number of lead service lines could be higher or lower than the 17,253 currently identified.
Why this matters
Lead service lines are a significant source of lead in drinking water. Lead can leach into water, especially in buildings with corrosive water or where pipes are old and corroded. Even brief exposure—particularly for infants and young children—can affect development.
If your building is served by a lead line, the risk depends on several factors: your water's chemical composition, the age and condition of the pipe, how long water sits in the line, and whether you use hot water from the tap for cooking or drinking.
What happens next
The utility has not yet shared a public replacement plan or timeline. To find out if your building has a lead service line and what the station's plans are, contact them directly.
You should also:
- Get your water tested through your county health department or a certified lab. This tells you if lead is actually present in your tap water.
- Ask about interim steps your utility is taking while replacements are planned (water treatment to reduce corrosion, flushing protocols, etc.).
- Check your building's plumbing. Even with a non-lead service line, lead can still enter from fixtures, solder, or internal pipes in older buildings.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Cranberry Lake Biological Station to confirm whether your building's service line is lead and ask about their replacement timeline
- Have your tap water tested for lead by a certified laboratory
- If you have young children or are pregnant, consult your pediatrician or doctor about additional precautions
- Visit the EPA's lead in drinking water page for interim actions you can take at home
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 39,209 |
|---|---|
| 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 Cranberry Lake Biological Station and give them your address. They can check their inventory to tell you whether your service line is confirmed lead, unknown material, or non-lead. You can also have your tap water tested—the results may suggest a lead line, though a water test alone doesn't prove it.
Is the water safe to drink right now?
The only way to know is to have your tap water tested. Lead service lines don't guarantee unsafe water; it depends on your water's chemistry and pipe condition. A certified lab test will tell you if lead is actually present in your home.
When will lead pipes be replaced?
Cranberry Lake Biological Station has not yet published a replacement plan or timeline. Contact them directly to ask about their schedule and what they're doing in the meantime to protect water quality.
What should I do if I'm worried about lead exposure?
If you have young children, are pregnant, or have other health concerns, contact your pediatrician or doctor. For immediate steps, flush your tap before drinking, use cold water for cooking and drinking, and consider using filtered or bottled water until you know your water's lead level.