Overview: There is no detectable lead in the Watertown Water & Sewer Authority’s supply water. However, older homes may contain plumbing or fixtures that contain lead. Waterbury Water Department treats its water supply to keep pH levels elevated to minimize the risk of lead leaching from older plumbing fixtures. Furthermore, Watertown Water & Sewer Authority performs regular water testing for lead throughout the system in compliance with state and federal regulations. Water quality information and test results can be found. Learn more about how lead can get into drinking water here. Learn more about why lead is a health concern.
The Initial Lead Service Line Inventory is available to view.
The Watertown Water & Sewer Authority has published the Initial Lead Service Line Inventory, which complies with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). As part of the LCRR, water systems are required to inventory all water service line materials and identify any water service line that contains lead or lead materials. This inventory is updated annually. To view the inventory, please visit the WSA office located at 747 French St, Oakville, CT.
About Service Lines
A service line is the narrow pipe that branches from the water main in the street to your address and brings water to the meter, which is usually located in your basement. The water mains distributing water are made of non-lead material. The public water system owns the street side portion (public or water system side) of the service line, and the property owner owns the yard-side portion (private or customer side).
If you received a notice in the mail, see below:
Public water systems are required by US EPA and CT DPH to mail notifications to customers who have a Lead service line, a Galvanized Requiring Replacement service line, or an Unknown material service line. The notice was generated based on the Watertown Water & Sewer Authority’s inventory of service lines. Our records are still incomplete, and you can help us to update them – learn more here.
View each letter below:
- Galvanized Service Line: Your service line may contain lead.
- Unknown Service Line: Your service line material is unknown and based on the year of construction of your house, it could be lead.
If you did not receive a notice, your service line is not made of lead or lead-containing materials.
Notices about water service line materials were only sent to customers whose water service line is one of the following:
- Galvanized
- Unknown
- Run your water to flush out lead. Lead levels increase over time as water sits in lead-containing plumbing materials. Using water for purposes other than drinking or cooking first, like laundry or bathing, can help reduce lead levels in drinking water. Run the water for at least 1 minute or until after it turns cold.
- Use only cold, fresh water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
- Do not boil water to remove the lead. Boiling water does not remove lead.
- Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. Lead particles can release lead into your water. See how to clean your aerator at epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-12/important-resources-for-safe-drinking-water.pdf
- Use your filter properly if you use a filter. Filters can reduce lead in drinking water. Make sure it is certified by NSF to remove lead; packaging will show NSF logo. Follow directions to properly install, use, and replace your filter. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information, and which certifications to look for, visit epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filterscertified-reduce-lead.
- Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead and any copper piping with a lead solder, the material used to combine pipes.
- Have your child’s blood tested for lead. Children are at higher risk from the health effects of lead. If you would like to have your child tested, contact your health care provider, or state health department for more information.
- Have your water tested for lead. You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water. Customers who decide they want to have their water tested for Lead may select from an Approved CT DPH Lead Testing Lab by visiting CT DPH Drinking Water Section website for an up-to-date listing : CT_DPH_In-State_Approved_Lead_Testing_Labs_Listing.
wsa-info@watertownct.org or at (860) 945-5299.