If you are one of many who received a letter from Aquarion Water Company about lead pipes, you probably have many questions.
These letters are required to be sent as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), to promote transparency and safety. Aquarion’s website assures us that the water they provide does not contain lead, there may be points within the service line to your home that contain lead. Their website says that homes built before 1988 could contain lead in their pluming systems. The company says it also adjusts the water’s pH levels and has introduced corrosion inhibitors, which coat the pipes and fixtures in homes.
Here are a few resources to help you determine if there is known lead in the service lines to your home and some things you can do to protect yourself from lead.
You can start by using the interactive map to check the pipe material on file for your address. If known, this will tell you whether the pipes on the utility side and your side are lead, non-lead, galvanized, or unknown material.
Here’s a visual guide for identifying your service line material.
You can contact one of these state approved lead testing labs in Connecticut.
If you’re worried about lead, visit Aquarion’s resource for ways to minmize your exposure to lead.
If you do have lead or galvanized pipes, they should be replaced. According to the CT Insider, there is some state funding available to offset the cost of these projects. If an Aquarion customer is thinking about replacing their lines, Fazekas recommends they call the company at 1-866-728-5023 to see if there is some state funding available.
A quick action to consider is adding a water filtration product to your home. Here’s a resource about certified product listings for lead reduction.
Fairfield and Westport CT Real Estate Guide 