Lead Service Lines in Neville Township Water System

What you need to know

Neville Township Water Department serves about 6,750 people in Pennsylvania. Like many older water systems across the US, this utility may have lead service lines—the underground pipes that connect the public water main to homes built before the 1980s.

Lead service lines are a real concern because lead can leach into drinking water, especially in homes with older plumbing or corrosive water. But the good news: you have practical steps you can take right now, whether or not your home has one.

Lead service line inventory status

Neville Township Water Department has not yet published a complete inventory of which homes have lead service lines. This is not unusual—many smaller utilities are still working through this process, which is required under federal rule.

What this means for you:

• You cannot yet look up whether your specific address has a lead service line through this utility's public records.
• The utility is still collecting this information.
• You can still take action to protect your household (see below).

Checking your own property

Even without a utility inventory, you can get clues about whether your home might have a lead service line:

• Age of your home. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead service lines. Homes built before 1920 are at highest risk.
• Your water meter location. Call or visit your utility office and ask them to check their records for your address.
• Visual inspection. A plumber can dig up the section of pipe at your property line and identify the material. A lead pipe is soft, dull gray, and can be scratched with a fingernail.

What to do now

Testing your water for lead is a reliable first step and costs $10–30 at most hardware stores.

If you're concerned about lead—whether or not you've confirmed a lead service line—the CDC recommends using a water filter certified for lead (look for NSF Standard 53) or running cold tap water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking.

Next steps for residents

• Test your tap water for lead using a home test kit or contact your local health department for low-cost testing options.
• Contact Neville Township Water Department to ask if your address is on file as having a lead service line and when a public inventory will be available.
• Ask about replacement assistance. Many states and utilities now offer grants or low-interest loans to replace lead service lines at no cost to homeowners.
• Use a NSF-certified water filter while you investigate further, especially if you have young children or are pregnant.

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if I have a lead service line?", "a": "The easiest first step is to contact your water utility (Neville Township Water Department) and ask if your address is in their records as having lead service lines. You can also call a plumber to inspect the pipe at your property line, or look at your home's age—homes built before 1986 are at higher risk." }, { "q": "Is lead in water dangerous?", "a": "Lead can accumulate in the body and cause serious health effects, especially in young children and pregnant people. For specific health concerns, talk to your pediatrician or contact the CDC. Testing your water and using a certified filter are practical ways to reduce exposure." }, { "q": "Can I remove a lead service line myself?", "a": "Lead service line replacement requires a licensed plumber and often permits from your municipality. However, many utilities now offer grants or fully funded replacement programs—contact Neville Township Water Department to ask what's available in your area." }, { "q": "Do water filters remove lead?", "a": "Filters certified for lead removal (look for NSF Standard 53) can reduce lead in tap water. Pitcher filters and faucet-mounted filters