Lead Service Line Inventory
If you are a Village of Leicester waster customer please take a moment to fill out this
LEAD LINE SURVEY FORM
Why is the Village conducting this Lead Line Survey?
On December 16, 2021, the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revision went into effect. The revised rule requires every federally defined community and non-transient, non-community water systems to develop a lead service line inventory. The Village of Leicester needs your help top identify all unknown water service lines for the Village's water customers.
This information will be used to create an inventory of lines will be made public in the following weeks. Thank you for your assistance with this important project!
Health impacts of lead
Exposure to lead can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children who drink water containing lead could have decreases in IQ and attention span and increases in learning and behavioral problems. Lead exposure among women who are pregnant increases prenatal risks. Lead exposure among women who later become pregnant has similar risks if lead stored in the mother's bones is released during pregnancy. Recent science suggests that adults who drink water containing lead have increased risks of hearts disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.
Where does lead in water come from?
Lead is not found in Leicester's source water. Lead can be present in the service lines connecting homes to water mains and in brass fixtures, faucets, and solder in copper plumbing. these items can pass lead into the water you use for drinking and cooking. The video below was developed by the American Water Works Association to explain how lead can get into drinking water and what you can do to protect your household.
To Ensure you are getting the best quality water possible, we recommend taking the following steps:
Step 1- Find out if there is lead in your tap water:
Inspect your plumbing:
- Learn how to identify sources of lead in your home's plumbing with this online guide.
- Use this guide to identify you inside water service material and repot it to the Village of Leicester.
- If you are unable to identify you water service line make an appointment with a Village of Leicester water employee to do it for you:
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- email clerk@villageofleicester.org
- Call 585-382-3699
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Contact a licensed plumber to check your pipes or have your water tested by the certified laboratory.
Step 2- Use these simple steps to minimize lead in your tap water:
- Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula. Hot water dissolves lead more quickly.
- Flush your pipes any time water had been unused for more than 4-6 hours. Lead levels are highest when water has been sitting in the pipe. Run your cold water for 3-5 minutes in to ensure complete flushing.
- Routinely clean faucet screen which can accumulate lead and rust particles.
- Use a water filter that is certified NSF 53 to remove lead. Find out more at www.nsf.org.
Step 3- Take steps to replace all lead-containing plumbing in your home.
Consider replacing your inside water service if it contains lead.
EPA Hotline and Information
- Lead in Drinking Water Web Site
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
Other sources of lead
Childhood lead poisoning is nearly always the result of ingesting lead dust from deteriorated lead-based paint in the home.
More information is available from the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning.
Do it yourself (DIY) Home Water Pipe Inspection- We need your help to identify all unknown water service lines for the village of Leicester's water customers.
WHO SHOULD INSEPCT THEIR PIPES? ALL Village of Leicester water customers need to test their pipes following the instructions below.
What you'll need
- Magnet (A refrigerator magnet will do)
- Screwdriver or coin (to gently scratch your pipe)
- Flashlight
How to Identify your pipe material type
IMPORTANT NOTE: if the pipe material entering your home through the basement wall or floor is corroded or in poor condition, only perform ta magnet test on the pipe. If your service is not made of metal, it's most likely plastic.
Step 1: Locate your pipe.
Find the water meter and the pipe part connecting to the ground or wall. This pipe comes from the street and will be the focus of the test.
Please note:
The incoming water service in your home can either come up from the basement floor or out of the side wall in the basement. If you do not have a basement, the incoming water service should come up through the floor on the main level.
Step 2: TEST the pipe to see what you have.
Fist, visually inspect your pipe to see if it's PLASTIC. If your pipe is a bright blue color with a smooth finish and flexible, you have PLASTIC which is resistant to corrosion. You do not need a pipe replacement.
If the pipe is brownish-orange in color, like a penny, or has turned green over time due to oxidation, AND your magnet will NOT stick to it, you have a COPPER pipe, You do not need a pipe replacement.
If your pipe appears metallic check to see if your magnet can stick tot he pipe. If the magnet sticks, you have GALVANIZED STEEL pipe. Your pipe will need replaced.
Use the penny or screwdriver to GENTLY scratch the surface of the pipe to remove any coatings or dirt to reveal the material underneath.
If your pipe is dark in color. is very soft, easy to scratch and looks shiny and silvery, AND your magnet will NOT stick to it, you likely have LEAD pipe and it will need to be replaced.
Step 3: REPORT you pipe type!
If you have any issues using the form below feel free to email the Village of Leicester at clerk@villageofleciester.org or call 585-382-3699 to set up a convenient time for one of our water employees to come out to your home and inspect the water service piping near your water meter. This process will only take a few moments of your time.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The information you provide to us will help the Village qualify for grants and plan for future lead and galvanized steel service line replacement projects.