HERITAGE HILLS WATER SYSTEM
Lead Service Lines in Your Area
What You Need to Know
Heritage Hills Water System serves about 4,700 people in New York. The utility has inventoried 1,878 service lines—the pipes that carry water from the street to your home—and found 1 confirmed lead service line so far.
However, 523 lines remain unknown. These pipes haven't been tested or identified yet, so their material is unclear. This is common; many older systems are still working through their inventories. Unknown lines could be lead, copper, plastic, or galvanized steel. The remaining 1,354 lines are non-lead.
Why This Matters
Lead service lines can leach lead into your drinking water, especially if water is corrosive or pipes are old. Even small amounts matter—the EPA has no safe level for lead in drinking water. If you have young children or are pregnant, this is worth taking seriously.
The good news: lead exposure from water is preventable with simple steps.
What the Utility Is Doing
Heritage Hills is in the early stages of identifying which pipes contain lead. As of now, there's no information available about a replacement timeline or funding status for removing lead lines. This doesn't mean the utility isn't working on it—many systems are still developing their plans.
What You Can Do Right Now
Find out if you have a lead service line. Contact Heritage Hills Water System directly and ask about your address. Many utilities can tell you based on:
- Installation records or maps
- The age of your home
- A visual inspection (lead is dull gray; copper is reddish-brown; plastic and galvanized are silver)
If you have a lead line or are unsure: Use a water filter certified for lead (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53) on your tap, or boil water for drinking and cooking. Even better: request a free water test from your utility to check lead levels in your home.
Talk to a doctor if you're concerned about exposure, especially if you have children under 6 or are pregnant. Your pediatrician or the CDC can advise next steps based on your situation.
Next Steps for Residents
- Call Heritage Hills Water System and ask whether your service line is lead, galvanized, or unknown
- If unknown or lead, install a NSF 53–certified water filter on your kitchen tap or use bottled water
- Request a free lead test of your tap water from the utility
- Contact your doctor if you have health concerns about lead exposure
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 1,878 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if I have a lead service line?
Contact Heritage Hills Water System with your address—they can tell you based on installation records. You can also look at your service line (usually near the meter) or have a plumber inspect it. Lead is dull gray; copper is reddish; plastic and galvanized are silver.
Is my water safe to drink right now?
That depends on your specific service line and water chemistry. To be safe, especially if you have children or are pregnant, use a certified lead filter or bottled water until you confirm your line is not lead. Request a free lead test from your utility.
When will my lead service line be replaced?
Heritage Hills has not yet published a replacement timeline. Contact the utility directly to ask about their lead replacement plan and timeline for your area.
What does it mean if my service line is 'unknown'?
Unknown lines haven't been tested or confirmed yet. They could be lead, copper, plastic, or galvanized steel. Until your utility confirms, treat it as potentially lead and use a certified filter.