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Home  >  Government   >   Departments   >   Utilities & Water Division   >   Newport Water Division   >   Lead and Drinking Water

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Lead and Drinking Water

About the Program
(Click on the text in BLUE throughout the page to be redirected to related links)
 
The Newport Water Division (NWD) is unwavering in its commitment to providing customers with a safe, clean, and reliable drinking water supply.

The City's water consistently meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality standards.

Every day, Newport's water staff monitors and analyzes the drinking water throughout our entire system to minimize your exposure to harmful contaminants and protect your health. You can find our annual results in our
Consumer Confidence Reports.

Like many other aging cities and water systems, the water distribution system consists of older houses and buildings constructed before 1987, which can have lead service lines (LSLs), fixtures, and solder. While the drinking water leaving our treatment plant does not contain lead, as water travels through LSLs,
the corrosion of plumbing materials adds lead to the treated water delivered to those customers.

To prevent lead contamination, NWD treats the water supply using effective corrosion control practices following EPA guidance. Please watch
this video for more information on how you can be exposed to lead through your drinking water.

Although the primary sources of lead exposure are deteriorating lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust, and lead-contaminated residential soil, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 10-20% of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water.

Exposure to lead can cause or exacerbate several adverse health outcomes and is a concern, particularly for young children and infants whose growing bodies tend to absorb more lead than the average adult. In compliance with the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements & Rhode Island's Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, both aimed at reducing the risk of lead in American drinking water, NWD is introducing a Lead Service Line Management Program to verify the material of every water service line in the system. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to reducing potential lead in drinking water, the NWD is actively working on the following:
  • Continuous Monitoring: We routinely collect samples across our entire distribution area to monitor and assess the effectiveness of our lead corrosion control treatment.
  • Education and Awareness: We are committed to increasing education about lead in drinking water and encouraging customers to take action on lead service lines in the community to reduce the potential risk of lead exposure.
  • Infrastructure Upgrades: We are continuing our aggressive water main rehabilitation program, replacing the oldest pipes in the system, including lead service lines.
  • Service Line Identification: We are actively working to identify all drinking water service line materials throughout the water supply. We are proactively preparing to comply with the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) & Rhode Island's Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (LPPA). If you have additional questions about these regulations you can contact the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Center for Drinking Water Quality at 401-222-6867 or DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov.
  • Strategic Planning, Reporting, and Interagency Communication:
    • FY24 Annual LPPA Reporting: We submitted our 2024 annual report to the Governor, President of the Rhode Island State Senate, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Director of RIDOH, and Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) (required starting in 2024 under LPPA regulations). The report details service line inventories and lead service line replacement statuses.
    • Classification of Unknown Service Line Materials - Statistical Modeling: We investigated the effectiveness of statistical analysis and predictive modeling for lead detection concerning our system, as many state regulators across the country have approved this strategy to streamline compliance with LCRR. 
    • NWD Letter of Request - Approval to Implement Statistical Modeling from RIDOH: We submitted a formal request to RIDOH to approve this viable strategy recognized by the EPA and join all East Coast states & states across the country utilizing statistical modeling
    • NWD Letter of Request - Program Funding Support from RIDOH & RIIB: We submitted a formal request to RIDOH & RIIB to secure principal forgiveness funding for the NWD system as it related to lead service line replacement in order to reduce the burden on Newport system customers and enable immediate funding for full replacements, including private side work. Additionally, we requested help in advocating for rate reforms before the Rhode Island Utilities Commission to allow NWD to utilize user fees from water bills for comprehensive lead service line replacements on both public and private sides. 
Your participation is crucial in planning future lead service line replacement work. By checking your lines within your homes/businesses and reporting your findings to NWD, you are contributing to our efforts to reduce lead exposure. Your participation could help us submit stronger applications for future funding opportunities that would cover the cost of replacing lead service lines on the customers side of the property. If you report a lead service line within your home, NWD will follow up with the next steps.
 
How to Check Your Service Line
NWD has imported all of it's service line material data into a mapping system to allow you to check the material of the service line on your property (private) and the service line on the City owned side (public). They are not always the same material. If you received two letters indicating different types of service line material, we encourage you to check our mapping system which will allow you to see the service line material on both the private side and the public side. Materials of service lines are categorized as known and unknown:
  • Known service lines are labeled as:
    • Lead
    • Not Lead
  • Unknown service lines are labeled as:
    • Likely Lead
    • Unlikely Lead
    • Unknown
If a service line is labeled as "Unlikely Lead" or "Likely Lead" that means our historical records or field investigations have informed the likelihood of your service line being leaded or not leaded. Due to certain regulations, these methods are not deemed acceptable in definitively defining the line's material. Further investigation is required in these instances, please continue reading for more information. Use the search feature in the top left corner to lookup your address in the City of Newport: Department of Utilities Water Service Line Material Map. 

If your address has an unknown material, you can determine if you have a copper, lead, galvanized steel, or plastic line service on your property, by performing a simple Material Verification Test on the water service line where it connects to the water meter. We encourage long-term renters and owners to participate in checking and reporting their service line material. This simple test requires only a coin, house key, or flathead screwdriver, and a magnet. Once you have your results (even if you are unable to determine the material), please report your findings, address, and a photo of your service line using our online survey which is also linked in the Service Link Material Map. Possible results may include:
  • LEAD (gray or silver)
    • You DO have a lead service line.
  • GALVANIZED STEEL (gray or silver & magnetic)
    • You DO have a lead service line.
  • COPPER (dull brown or greenish)
    • You DO NOT have a lead service line.
  • PLASTIC PIPE (smooth & usually blue, black, red,  or white)
    • You DO NOT have a lead service line.
If your result indicates that you have a lead service line or you are unable to determine your material, NWD will follow up with detailed communication.
 
Next Steps
NWD reviews all survey submissions. If you are still unable to determine your service line material or NWD staff cannot confirm the material based on the information provided, an inspection will be scheduled to verify the material of your line. If you have an unknown material but elect not to complete the survey, you may call 401-845-5600 or email LeadInfo@CityofNewport.com to schedule an inspection. Due to the increased call and email volume, there may be a delay in receiving a response. Upon request, those with confirmed leaded lines will be provided a LIFESTRAW filter pitcher that removes lead and 30+ additional contaminants from your tap water. With the additional filters provided, your filter pitcher will be effective for approximately six months. You will also be provided with additional information regarding how to reduce your exposure further. All water customers with leaded service lines are recommended to follow the EPA’s guidance on reducing their lead exposure:
  • Run your water to flush out lead.
    • If water hasn’t been used for over six hours, run water from your kitchen tap or whatever tap you use for drinking and cooking at a moderate rate for 3 to 5 minutes until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before drinking or cooking. This process will help flush lead-containing water from the pipes. To conserve water, you can fill multiple containers after flushing for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
  • Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, young children, and formula-fed infants should use bottled drinking water at homes where lead has been detected at levels greater than 15 ppb.
  • Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
    • ​Do not cook with or drink hot water from the tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
  • Do not boil water to remove lead.
    • Boiling water will not reduce lead.
  • Look for alternative sources or treatment of water.
    • Consider purchasing bottled water or additional filters. Visit the NSF website to view certified product listings for lead reduction and information on production standards. You can also contact NSF via email (info@nsf.org) or phone (800-673-8010).
  • Install lead-free faucets and fixtures.
    • Look for lead certification marks indicating the new product is lead-free, then replace all old faucets and fixtures. This EPA document will help you know what to look for.
  • Clean your faucet aerators.
    • Sediment, rust, and metals, including lead, may collect in the aerator screen located at the tip of your faucets. These screens should be removed and cleaned regularly. For more details, view this document.​
  • Test your child’s blood lead level.
    • If you are concerned about exposure, contact your child’s healthcare provider or the Rhode Island Department of Health information line (401-222-5960) to find out how to get your child tested for lead.
 
Additional Information Resources
  • EPA: Revised Lead and Copper Rule
    • This website explains the recent revisions made to the Lead and Copper Rule.
  • RIDOH: Lead Poisoning Prevention Act​
    • This website details amendments to the act and the additional requirements.
  • EPA: Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead
    • This website details how to determine the material of your service line. Directions are also available in Spanish and Portuguese.
  • EPA: Lead in Drinking Water
    • This EPA infographic explains the sources of lead in drinking water and offers practical advice on reducing exposure and replacing service lines.
  • CDC: Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning
    • This website from the CDC is a comprehensive guide to preventing childhood lead poisoning, covering all potential sources of lead exposure and levels of prevention.
  • Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative: Lead In Water and Full Lead Service Line Replacement
    • ​This document provides additional detail on the purpose of a Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative.
 


Frequently Asked Questions

What is lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can be found in air, soil, dust, food, and water.

How can I be exposed to lead?

The most common source of lead exposure is from paint in homes and buildings built before 1978. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978.

Although the main sources of exposure to lead are ingesting paint chips and inhaling dust, lead also can be found in some household plumbing materials and some water service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

Other sources of lead exposure include paint, ceramics, gasoline, batteries, and cosmetics. For more information, refer to EPA’s Learn About Lead webpage.
 

How does lead get into my drinking water?

Lead can enter drinking water if service lines or plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. Additionally, if water stands in plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may be more likely to dissolve into your drinking water.

Additional information is available on the EPA’s Lead in Drinking Water webpage.

What are the risks of lead exposure?

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.

How can I reduce my exposure to lead in my drinking water?

There are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water that are provided below. However, if you have a lead service line, the best step you can take is to have it replaced.

Run the cold water to flush out lead. If water has not been used for several hours, run the cold-water faucet for 5 minutes to flush lead from interior plumbing or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using for drinking or cooking.
Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Hot water may cause increases in lead concentrations at the tap and therefore should not be used to prepare food or baby formula. Boiling water does not reduce or remove lead from drinking water.
Test your water for lead. The only way to determine the level of lead in drinking water at your home/building is to have the water tested. A list of certified laboratories is available from the Rhode Island Department of Health at: www.health.ri.gov/find/labs/analytical
Use a filter to remove lead. You can also use a water filter certified to remove lead. Contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters.
Install lead-free faucets and fixtures. Look for lead certification marks indicating the new product is lead free, and then replace old faucets and fixtures. Visit www.nepis.epa.gov and search for lead free certification for more information.
Clean your faucet aerators. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also referred to as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and metals, including lead particles, can collect in the aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
Test your child’s blood lead level. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.

 
For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/lead, or contact your health care provider or local health department.

Where can I find more information about lead in drinking water?
  • Rhode Island Department of Health: Lead in Drinking Water
  • EPA Informational Materials:
    • Lead and Copper Rule
    • Learn about Lead
    • Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water
    • Infographic: Lead in Drinking Water
    • Contact Information for Certification Programs and Certified Laboratories for Drinking Water
Is my home at risk for lead plumbing?

In Newport, lead was commonly used for water service lines and indoor plumbing solder until 1986 when it was banned. Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as "lead-free," may also contribute to lead in drinking water. Until legislation was passed in 2014, “lead-free” plumbing could contain up to 8 percent lead. Current standards for “lead-free” fixtures allow for no more than 0.25 percent of lead content. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach lead into the water, especially hot water.

Galvanized pipes can also serve as a source of lead exposure in two ways:

  1. Galvanized service lines can capture lead released from upstream lead service lines, which can be released into the drinking water. The release can vary in concentration and can happen over a long period of time, even after the lead piping is removed. Galvanized plumbing inside homes or buildings that are downstream from lead sources, such as a lead service line, is also a source of potential lead exposure.
  2. The zinc coating on galvanized pipes contains lead that can corrode and leach into drinking water. Older galvanized pipes, manufactured before 2014, contain a higher percentage of lead; newer galvanized pipes must meet the new standards for “lead-free” as described above.
I’m concerned my home may have lead plumbing. How can I find out?

We are actively working to identify all drinking water service line materials throughout the water supply. To determine the service line material at your property, we need your help! To help you check for lead, we’ve created a webpage to guide you through the process.

Will NWD replace my lead service line?
The NWD is responsible for any lead service line from the water main to the curbstop (shut off valve) located near the property line. Lead services lines from the curbstop to a home or building located on a customer’s property are the responsibility of the property owner as shown below. Please contact a licensed plumber for this work and submit the Water Service Application before replacement. If you have questions, call us at (401) 845-5600 or email leadinfo@cityofnewport.com.


How does Newport test for lead in drinking water?

The NWD has been in compliance with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, and its revisions, since the Rule was first established in 1991. We regularly test the water at a selected number of high-risk homes/buildings located throughout the distribution system. If samples show lead at or above 15 micrograms per liter, we notify the customer and provide instructions on what to do to limit lead exposure as required by Rhode Island Department of Health.

If you have further questions about NWD’s lead testing results, you can read our annual consumer confidence reports to find out how we are working to reduce levels of lead in drinking water and other information about your drinking water.

Can I test my drinking water for lead?

You can also have your water tested for lead. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water, the only way to determine the level of lead in drinking water at your home/building is to have the water tested. A list of certified laboratories is available from the Rhode Island Department of Health at: www.health.ri.gov/find/labs/analytical

 

HELP US IDENTIFY LEAD SERVICE LINES
 

To find and check the unknown material of the water service line in your home or business, you can use this step-by-step guide. After you check your service line, Newport asks you to report your findings through this short survey. 

Your participation in the survey is CRUCIAL. Participation in the Lead Service Line Inventory could help us secure future funding opportunities that would cover replacement costs on the customers property. Additionally, participants may be eligible for a free water filter pitcher and refill cartridges. 
 


Questions?
If you have further questions regarding lead in your drinking water, contact us at (401) 845-5600 or LeadInfo@CityofNewport.com.  

If you have further questions regarding these new regulations, you can contact the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Center for Drinking Water Quality at (401) 222-6867 or DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov. 

City of Newport

43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
Phone: (401) 845-5300 (M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Fax: 401-848-5750

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