Lead Information

As the nation’s aging water infrastructure and specific water quality issues have gained national attention in the last few years, we know that you may have questions about lead. The primary source of lead in tap water comes from the customer owned water pipes or household plumbing and fixtures that contain lead. We monitor our water systems thoroughly and frequently to ensure that we are providing a clean, safe water supply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• We conduct extensive water quality testing at our sources and within our distribution system.
• Test results on samples collected from our water sources and from our distribution systems meet standards for lead in drinking water.
• We fully comply with the EPA requirements regarding sampling for lead in drinking water and provide results to State health officials.
• We are confident in the water quality that we provide our customers.

You should know lead is rarely found in surface water (lakes, streams) and groundwater (aquifers, wells). Water quality testing at our sources has historically shown very little or no lead.  To ensure that our water meets drinking water quality standards for lead, we conduct extensive water quality testing of our distribution systems and take steps to optimize corrosion control wherever lead is found to be leaching from household plumbing.

The primary way lead can enter drinking water is when it comes in contact with lead service lines or household plumbing (pipes, faucets) made from lead.

A critical step in reducing the risk of lead leaching from customers’ service line or internal plumbing is to adjust the pH in the water system. We have a comprehensive corrosion control program that provides treatment based on the source water quality. And, we fully comply with the EPA requirements regarding sampling for lead in drinking water. We have provided documentation to the Connecticut Department of Public Health to demonstrate our results.

A public water system is in compliance with standards if 90 percent of test results show lead levels below 15 parts per billion. If a homeowner’s water sample is above that amount, we will work with them to identify the source of the lead in their homes, plumbing or fixtures and recommend ways to address the problem. The easiest way to avoid issues with lead in drinking water is to run the cold water tap until the water gets colder. This effectively flushes out the water that has been in contact with the home’s plumbing.

For more information about lead, visit the following links:

Lead in Drinking Water Fact Sheet

Centers for Disease Control

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

NSF (Especially helpful for people on private wells)

Lead results by water system. If you are not sure which system serves your home please call us at 1-800-286-5700.