WINOOSKI WATER DEPT Lead Service Line Inventory
About your water system
Winooski Water Dept serves about 8,500 people in Vermont. The utility draws water from surface sources (rivers or lakes) and delivers it through a network of pipes to homes and businesses.
Lead service lines: what we know
A lead service line is the pipe that connects the water main in the street to your home. If yours is made of lead, it can leach lead into your drinking water—especially in homes with naturally acidic water or where corrosion control isn't optimized.
Current inventory status: Winooski Water Dept has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility is still in the process of identifying which homes are served by lead pipes. No data on the number of known lead, galvanized, or non-lead lines is currently available.
Why this matters
Lead can harm brain development in children and affect kidney function and blood pressure in adults. Even low levels of exposure matter. If you're concerned about lead in your home's water, testing is the only way to know for sure.
Your next steps
1. Contact your utility directly. Ask Winooski Water Dept:
- Whether your home has a lead service line
- When the full inventory will be complete
- Whether they offer free or reduced-cost water testing
- What corrosion control measures are in place
2. Test your water if you're concerned. The EPA recommends testing if you live in an older home or are pregnant or have young children. Your pediatrician or local health department can point you to certified labs.
3. Use interim protective measures while you're waiting for answers:
- Let cold water run for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches lead faster)
- Clean your faucet aerator regularly
4. Check for updates. Water utilities are required to inventory all lead service lines by 2024, so Winooski will have updated information soon.
---
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Winooski Water Dept have lead in the water?
Lead contamination happens at the service line (the pipe to your home) and in plumbing, not usually in the main water supply. Winooski is still completing its inventory, so contact the utility to find out if your specific address has a lead service line.
How do I know if my home has a lead pipe?
The only way to know for sure is to ask your water utility or have a plumber inspect the service line and interior plumbing. Homes built before 1970 are more likely to have lead lines. You can also test your water for lead.
Is it safe to drink tap water from Winooski?
Winooski treats its water and uses corrosion control, but if your home has a lead service line or old plumbing, lead can still enter your water. Testing your tap water is the most reliable way to know.
What should I do if I'm worried about lead?
Contact Winooski Water Dept to ask about lead service lines at your address, test your water through a certified lab, and use interim steps like flushing your tap and using cold water for drinking. If you have young children, talk to your pediatrician.