Lead Service Line Inventory Project
As part of the recent Lead and Copper Rule Updates, the EPA has mandated that every public water supplier take an inventory of all the water service lines in their distribution system primarily to identify and remove lead service lines. The Town of Nahant Water Department began conducting this inventory of water service lines in the fall of 2024.
There are over 1500 metered water service lines in the Town of Nahant. The Town is required to inventory the material of all water service lines. A water service line connects your home or business to the water main nearest you. The water service line consists of a pipe from the property’s water meter to a water valve and a pipe from the water valve to the water main. The EPA requires the Town to document the material of the pipe that is between the water meter and the water valve, and the material of the pipe that connects the water valve to the water main.
The Nahant Water Department owns the service line from the water main in the street to the water valve, typically at the property line or in the sidewalk. The property owner owns the service line from the water valve to the water meter of the home.
In some cases, the Town is able to determine the material of the enter water service line however in other cases, the Town may only be able to determine the material of half the water service line or none of the water service line.
Residents can view a simple water service line inventory here.
By looking at the row identified with your address, you will see what the Town has been able to document for your water service line.
If the Town has not been able to identify your half of the water service line, the Town plans to document that information when it replaces your water meter.
The customers with unknown service lines are receiving notices with information on how to determine and document their water service line material. Click here for a copy of the letter notices.
(source: https://cleanwater.org/lead-and-drinking-water)
What You Should Know About Lead
Our system’s water mains that carry the water to you are made mostly of iron and plastic, and therefore do not add lead to water. However, lead can get into tap water through the service line that connects your home to the water main if it is made of lead. Lead may also come from lead solder used to connect pipes in home plumbing, and from some faucets and fixtures. When lead is present in water, it is typically due to the water flowing through service lines or internal pipes or plumbing in buildings with lead pipes or plumbing with lead solder or brass.
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Because lead may pose serious health risks, both the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that “there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood”.
If you think you have a lead service line and want to reduce your exposure to lead, you should do the following:
- Use only cold, fresh water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Run the water for at least 1 minute or until after it turns cold.
- Do not boil the water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead. Excessive boiling of water makes the lead and copper more concentrated – the lead and copper remains when the water evaporates.
- Test your home for lead: The only way to determine the level of lead in drinking water at your home is to have the water tested by a state certified laboratory. The cost to test is usually between $10 and $50. Consider having your paint tested also. A list of labs is available online at http://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/DEP/Labcert/Labcert.aspx or you can call MassDEP at 978-682-5237 or e-mail Labcert@mass.gov.
- Consider alternative sources or treatment of water. If your water contains lead you may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. If considering a filter read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800- NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. Also, if you are considering using bottled water, note that it may cost up to 1,000 times more than tap water. Simply flushing your tap, as described above, is usually a cheaper and equally effective alternative.
- Check whether your home has a lead service line. IF YOU DO, HAVE IT REMOVED.
- Contact your health care provider or your local health department to find out if your child needs to be tested for lead. A blood lead level test is the only way to know if your child is being exposed to lead. For more information on Massachusetts’ childhood lead testing program, contact the Department of Public Health (DPH) at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/childhood-lead-poisoning-prevention-program or at 1-800-532-9571.
- If you have health concerns, please contact your health care provider with any questions.
For more information on Lead see https://www.mass.gov/lead-in-drinking-water
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a water service line?
A water service line is a pipe that brings water from the water main in the street into your home. It may be made of the following materials:
(source: https://www.amwater.com/njaw/Water-Quality/Lead-and-Drinking-Water/pipe-material-information)
How can I check my service line to determine what material it is made of?
Follow the graphic above or click on the follow link to watch an instructive video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHz1n7Bi24I&t=2s
How does lead get into the drinking water?
Our system’s water mains that carry the water to you are made mostly of iron and plastic, and therefore do not add lead to water. However, lead can get into tap water through the service line that connects your home to the water main if it is made of lead. Lead may also come from lead solder used to connect pipes in home plumbing, and from some faucets and fixtures. When lead is present in water, it is typically due to the water flowing through service lines or internal pipes or plumbing in buildings with lead pipes or plumbing with lead solder or brass.
Visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
https://www.mass.gov/doc/lead-in-drinking-water-faqs-english-0/download for more information.
Who owns the water service line?
The Nahant Water Department owns the service line from the main in the street to the water valve, typically at the property line or in the sidewalk. The property owner owns the service line from the water valve to the water meter of the home.
Why are lead service lines an issue?
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Because lead may pose serious health risks, both the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that “there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood”.
Contact your health care provider or your local health department to find out if your child needs to be tested for lead. A blood lead level test is the only way to know if your child is being exposed to lead. For more information on Massachusetts’ childhood lead testing program, contact the Department of Public Health (DPH) at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/childhood-lead-poisoning-prevention-program or at 1-800-532-9571.
If you have health concerns, please contact your health care provider with any questions.
Can I shower in lead-contaminated water?
Yes. Bathing and showering should be safe for you and your children, even if the water contains lead over EPA’s action level. Human skin does not absorb lead in water.
Why did I receive notices asking me to fill out a material inventory survey?
You received notices because the water service line serving your property was identified as having an unknown material on the private (homeowner) side. The notices include instructions on how to identify and document your water service line material.
Why did I not receive notices asking me to fill out a material inventory survey?
You did not receive notices asking to fill out a material inventory survey because the Nahant Water Department has a record of the water service line material for your property. Your water service line is not lead.
What is my role in this project?
For those who received a notice, please contact The Nahant Water Department to learn how you can provide the Town with documentation of the material of your service line. By doing so, you help determine the locations that need to be addressed and even potentially help get funding from the EPA or MassDEP to assist with replacing service lines.
Does the Water Department currently sample for lead?
The Water Department currently samples sites throughout Town for both lead and copper. As of February 2025, the Town’s 90th percentile sample result is below any required level for drinking water standards. You can view results of the sampling at the following link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/results-of-lead-sampling-for-public-water-systems
I think I have a lead service line, how do I reduce my exposure to lead?
- Use only cold, fresh water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Run the water for at least 1 minute or until after it turns cold.
- Do not boil the water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead. Excessive boiling of water makes the lead and copper more concentrated – the lead and copper remains when the water evaporates.
- Test your home for lead: The only way to determine the level of lead in drinking water at your home is to have the water tested by a state certified laboratory. The cost to test is usually between $10 and $50. Consider having your paint tested also. A list of labs is available online at http://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/DEP/Labcert/Labcert.aspx or you can call MassDEP at 978-682-5237 or e-mail Labcert@mass.gov.
- Consider alternative sources or treatment of water. If your water contains lead you may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. If considering a filter read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800- NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. Also, if you are considering using bottled water, note that it may cost up to 1,000 times more than tap water. Simply flushing your tap, as described above, is usually a cheaper and equally effective alternative.
- Check whether your home has a lead service line. IF YOU DO, HAVE IT REMOVED.
- Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water. Refer to the following link for cleaning your aerator: Click here to get a step by step instructions from Michigan Department of Health & Human Services on cleaning your Aerators.
Where can I get more information?
More specific information about the Lead and Copper Rule and its revisions may be found here: https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule
More specific information about the water service line material verification directives may be found here:
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule
The EPA’s response to the White House’s December 2021 statement may be found here:
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Contact the Town of Nahant DPW/Water Department during regular business hours, Monday-Thursday 7:30am – 4:00pm and Fridays 7:30am-12:30pm at 781-581-0088 or via email to Mary Lowe at mlowe@nahant.org.
You may also contact the Mass DEP Drinking Water Program representative at (617) 292-5770 or program.director-dwp@mass.gov.