BLOCK ISLAND WATER COMPANY Lead Service Line Inventory
Block Island Water Company serves approximately 10,000 people in Rhode Island. Like all US water utilities, it is required by federal law to maintain an inventory of lead service lines—the pipes that connect homes to the water main—and make that information available to the public.
What we know about Block Island Water Company's lead service lines
Block Island Water Company has not yet completed a full lead service line inventory for its system. This does not mean there are no lead pipes; it means the utility is still in the process of identifying which service lines contain lead.
The company sources its water from groundwater. Groundwater systems can still have lead service lines, particularly in older infrastructure built before lead was phased out of plumbing materials in the 1980s.
Why this matters
Lead service lines are the most common source of lead contamination in drinking water. When water sits in these pipes—especially if it's acidic or has low mineral content—lead can leach into the water you drink. Even very small amounts can affect children's development and learning.
If you live in Block Island Water Company's service area, you may not yet know whether your home has a lead service line. The utility's ongoing inventory process should eventually clarify this.
How to find out if your home has a lead service line
1. Contact Block Island Water Company directly. Ask whether your address has been surveyed yet and what the results are. Request a copy of their lead service line inventory or replacement plan if available.
2. Check your home's age and construction records. Homes built before 1980 are more likely to have lead service lines, though they can exist in any home built before the late 1980s.
3. Look at your water bill or service records. Sometimes utilities note service line material on billing documents.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Block Island Water Company to ask about your specific address and any inventory results.
- If you're concerned about lead in your drinking water, request a free water test through your utility or a certified lab.
- Learn more from the EPA's lead and copper rule and CDC guidance on lead in water.
- Check back with the utility periodically as their inventory work continues.
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Block Island Water Company have lead service lines?
Block Island Water Company has not yet completed its full lead service line inventory, so the total number of lead lines in the system is unknown. Contact the utility to ask about your specific address.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Contact Block Island Water Company and ask if your address has been surveyed. You can also look at your home's age (pre-1980 homes are at higher risk) and check your water bill or service records for pipe material information.
Is it safe to drink water from a lead service line?
Lead can leach into water from old pipes, especially if water sits in the line or the water chemistry favors corrosion. If you're concerned, ask your utility about a free water test and see CDC guidance on lead reduction steps.
When will Block Island Water Company finish its lead service line inventory?
The utility's timeline for completing the inventory is not listed here. Contact Block Island Water Company directly to ask for their completion date and current progress.