Lead Service Lines in Newport News, Virginia

What You Need to Know

Newport News serves about 407,300 people with drinking water drawn from surface sources. Like many older cities on the East Coast, Newport News has lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main to homes. Lead can leach into your water, especially if it sits in the pipes overnight or if water is acidic.

The current situation: Newport News has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in the city. This means the water utility doesn't yet have a comprehensive count of how many homes may be affected. An inventory is the essential first step toward identifying which properties have lead lines and planning replacements.

Why This Matters

Lead exposure—even in small amounts—can affect children's brain development and learning. There is no known safe level of lead in drinking water. If you have young children or are pregnant, this is worth taking seriously.

The good news: lead in water is preventable. Once you know whether your home has a lead service line, you can take steps to reduce your family's exposure.

What Newport News Is Doing

Federal law requires all water utilities to inventory their lead service lines and develop a plan to replace them. Newport News is working to meet these requirements, though the inventory work is still underway.

The city has not yet received funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for lead service line replacement, though federal grant programs are open and utilities nationwide are applying.

What You Can Do Now

Don't wait for the inventory to be complete. You can take steps today:

• Test your water. Call Newport News water utility (757-926-1000) or contact your local health department to ask about free or low-cost testing kits. A simple test tells you if lead is present in your tap water.
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water pulls more lead from pipes. Always use cold tap water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula preparation.
• Flush your pipes. If water has been sitting in your pipes for more than 6 hours, run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking.
• Contact the utility directly. Ask Newport News if they know whether your specific address has a lead service line. They may have partial records even if the full inventory isn't public yet.

Next Steps for Residents

• Call Newport News water utility at 757-926-1000 to request a water test or ask about your property's service line status.
• If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or OB/GYN about lead exposure risks.
• Visit the CDC's guidance on lead in drinking water for more prevention tips.
• Check back on this page periodically—we'll update it as Newport News completes its inventory and makes it public.

```json [ { "q": "Can I find out if my house in Newport News has a lead service line?", "a": "Contact Newport News water utility at 757-926-1000 to ask. They may have records for your address even if the full city inventory isn't yet complete. You can also request a water test to see if lead is present in your tap water." }, { "q": "Is it safe to drink tap water in Newport News right now?", "a": "Many homes have safe water, but some may have lead lines. The safest approach: test your water and use cold tap water for drinking and cooking. If you're concerned, flush your pipes for 30 seconds before drinking, and use filtered or bottled water for drinking and cooking until you know your status." }, { "q": "When will Newport News replace lead service lines?", "a": "The city is still completing its inventory, which is the necessary first step. Once the inventory is done, Newport News will develop a replacement plan. Federal funding for replacements is available through grants, though the city has not yet received Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding."