Frequently Asked Questions

The Rhode Island Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (LPPA), along with the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), have been amended to establish new service line requirements. These amendments aim to improve public health by removing lead from the state’s drinking water systems. The updated guidelines include mandatory service line inventories and lead service line replacement requirements. All public water systems are required to submit a service line inventory to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) by October 16, 2024.

Based on this inventory, Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Water Department have discovered a lead status unknown service line connecting your property to the water system. This line may contain lead, and we want to inform you of the potential risks and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

A service line is labeled as "lead status unknown" when there is no documented evidence to classify it as lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or non-lead. In Rhode Island, under the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, these lines are treated as lead service lines until proven otherwise.

Lead exposure, especially through drinking water, can cause serious health issues. Children under six and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, as lead can harm brain development and lead to long-term learning and behavior problems.

Lead can enter water through corrosion of pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. As pipes age, lead may dissolve into water, particularly if the water has been sitting in the pipes for several hours without being used.

You can take several steps to reduce exposure:

• If you are a Pascoag Utility District customer you can request a free water filter from Pascoag Utility District by calling (401)568-6222 or emailing [email protected]. If you are a Harrisville Water Department customer, you can call (401) 568-2224 to request a free pitcher.
• Run cold water for 3-5 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.
• Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula.
• Regularly clean faucet aerators to remove trapped debris.

Yes, Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Water Department are committed to replacing all lead service lines over the next ten years, as well as identifying the material of the lead status unknown service lines. The replacement is part of a broader effort to protect public health and comply with federal and state regulations.

Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Water Department will be working with an engineer to create a plan to identify the material of the lead status unknown service lines over the next ten years. If you received a letter, your address has already been identified as a lead status unknown service line and will be included in the plan and inspected. You will be notified before the service line is inspected. You do not need to call to schedule an inspection as our staff will reach out to you.

Between 2010 and 2021, the Pascoag Utility District’s Water Department created a record of pipe materials used in service lines to people’s homes when installing AMR water meters. This record was made to find and replace any pipes made of lead or galvanized metal. During that time, all the lead pipes that were found were replaced with the help of a grant. Only 14 lead service lines were discovered and replaced out of 1,100 during the AMR water meter project.

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 meters. Two lead service lines were discovered out of an estimated 1,000 customers.

Lead exposure can affect anyone, but it poses the greatest risk to children and pregnant women. It can lead to developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems in children. Even small amounts of lead can cause harm.

Pascoag Utility District provides free filter pitchers, along with six months of filter replacements. You can request a filter by calling (401)568-6222 or emailing [email protected].

If you are a Harrisville Water Department customer, you can call 401-568-2224 to request a free pitcher.

Lead service lines were banned after 1987, so if your home was built after that year, it's unlikely that it has a lead service line.

Yes, lead can be present in older homes through lead-based paint, soil, and certain household items. While drinking water is rarely the main source of lead poisoning, it is important to be aware of all potential risks. Homes built before 1987 are especially at risk for containing lead-based paint.

Get your child tested for lead exposure and ensure your home is inspected for lead-based paint if it was built before 1987. Blood lead screenings are recommended for children under six years old and are typically covered by insurance.

Flush the cold water tap for 3-5 minutes to remove any water that may have accumulated lead while sitting in the pipes. Flushing is a quick and low-cost way to reduce lead exposure.

No, boiling water does not remove lead. In fact, hot water can dissolve lead more easily, so always use cold, filtered water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.

You can visit the Rhode Island Department of Health website at https://health.ri.gov/water/about/lead/ or contact Pascoag Utility District at (401)568-6222 or [email protected] for further assistance.