Understanding the Risks of Lead in Drinking Water
Lead exposure in drinking water can pose a risk to human health, particularly affecting children and pregnant women. The East Providence Water Utilities Divisions wants to make sure your water line material is not made of lead. East Providence’s drinking water does not contain lead when it leaves our treatment plants. The risk for lead to enter the drinking water comes from corrosion of plumbing materials made with lead.
To support this nationwide effort, the EPA and Rhode Island Department of Health have outlined requirements for inventorying and replacing lead service lines through the 2021 Revised Lead and Copper Rule. To learn more, visit EPA.gov/safewater/lead.
What is the Lead and Copper rule?
The Lead and Copper Rule is a federal regulation originally passed by the EPA in 1991 aiming to address lead exposure in drinking water through public and private service lines. Since then, the East Providence Water Utilities Divisions has regularly tested for lead and copper at approved sampling sites, and to date the Division has not experienced an action level exceedance (ALE) for lead contamination in the system.
The Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR) was revised in 2021 to include additional requirements for water providers. In 2023, amendments to the Rhode Island Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (LPPA), went into effect and established additional requirements. The LCRR and LPPA focus on identifying the areas most impacted by lead in drinking water by inventorying and on replacing lead service lines. Read more about the requirements on the Rhode Island Department of Health’s webpage.
East Providence Lead Service Line Inventory- Published November 15, 2024
The Division produced an inventory of the system’s public and private water service lines in October 2024, in accordance with the LCRR guidelines. Download the inventory here to search for your address.
Properties that were found to have lead service lines, or pipe material that is unknown at this time have received a certified notification by mail. View the notification letter here.
Report your water service line material
Please help the East Providence Water Utilities Divisions keep you safe from lead exposure by reporting on your water service line material. If you received a letter regarding an unknown service line material status, please take a few minutes of your time to locate your line, identify the pipe material and report your findings to the Division so we can complete the inventory with accurate information. This is important because if you do find that your line material is made of lead, we will inform you of the options for replacement.
START HERE
Begin by clicking the Start Here button above. You will be prompted to locate your water meter, which is typically in the basement, garage or crawlspace. Focus on the section of pipe that attaches the meter to the wall. Use a coin to gently scratch the pipe, or use a magnet, to identify the pipe material.
Reduce the risk of lead exposure
Lead is a toxic metal that was commonly used for many years in household products and building materials, including water pipes. Lead can enter drinking water when pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content. It's important to remember that no level of lead is considered safe. Even low levels of lead exposure in children are associated with developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues. If you want to minimize potential exposure to lead in drinking water, follow these simple steps to maintain optimal water quality:
- Run cold water for a minimum of five minutes after water has been stagnant for more than six hours.
- Allow the cold water line to run for a minimum of five minutes before using the water for cooking or drinking. Only use cold water for cooking or preparing baby formula.
- Never use hot water for consumption.
- Consider purchasing a filter certified by NSF for lead reduction.
- Remove any faucet aerators, soak in vinegar for 15 minutes, and clean any accumulated particles. The aerator is at the tip of most faucets and can usually be screwed on and off.
Lead service line replacement
The LCRR requires all lead service lines to be replaced within the next 10 years. Full LSL replacement involves elimination of lead pipe from a water main up to the interior plumbing of the home. If your home is found to have a lead service line, please contact the Division at (401)435-7741 or waterdept@eastprovidenceri.gov for options for replacement and water quality strategies like water filters and line flushing.