Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Water Department are taking action to identify and replace lead service lines and identify all “lead status unknown” service lines in our community to keep drinking water safe for everyone. This project is part of our commitment to following state and federal regulations and protecting public health.
Between 2010 and 2021, Pascoag’s Water Department created records of pipe materials on the private side of customers’ service lines as new AMR water meters were installed. During this project, all lead service lines found were replaced with the help of a grant. Of Pascoag’s roughly 1,100 water customers, only fourteen lead service lines were identified and replaced. In 2014 Harrisville’s Water Department created a database of pipe materials on the private side of customer’s service lines as they installed new AMR water meters. Two lead service lines were discovered out of an estimated 1,000 customers. However, new state and federal rules, like Rhode Island’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (LPPA) and the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), require water utilities to complete detailed records of all service lines (including the private and public side) and replace those that are made of lead.
To comply with these new rules, Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Water Department have identified some service lines on the public side as “lead status unknown,” meaning there is no documented evidence to classify it as lead, galvanized or non-lead and as such those lines are treated as lead service lines until proven otherwise. Both water companies are committed to identifying these lines and replacing any lead pipes over the next ten years to make sure customers have safe, clean drinking water.
Pascoag Utility District’s General Manager William Guertin stated, “For us this project goes beyond just compliance with new laws—it’s about safeguarding our community’s health for years to come. We’re committed to making this process as smooth and transparent as possible for everyone. We’re working hard to identify these service lines and will replace any lead pipes to protect public health. We’re here to answer your questions and provide resources to ensure the safety of your drinking water.”
For customers with a “lead status unknown” service line, Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Water Department are offering free water filter pitchers, along with six months of filter replacements. These filters are available upon request and will significantly reduce any lead levels in your drinking water if present.
What Can You Do to Reduce Lead Exposure in Drinking Water?
- Get a Water Filter if You Receive a Letter: If you are a Pascoag Utility District customer you can call (401) 568-6222 or email [email protected] to request a free filter pitcher and filter replacements. If you are a Harrisville Water Department customer, you can call (401) 568-2224 to request a free filter pitcher and filter replacements.
- Run Cold Water: Run your cold tap for 3-5 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting unused for several hours.
- Use Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking: Hot water can cause lead to dissolve more easily, so always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula.
To learn more about lead in drinking water, visit the Rhode Island Department of Health’s website at health.ri.gov/water/about/lead/ or call your water utility for more information.
Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Water Department are committed to working with our customers to make sure we all have access to clean, lead-free drinking water.