Excessive amounts of lead in the body can present health risks. The greatest risks are to young children and pregnant women. Amounts of lead that won’t hurt adults can slow down mental and physical development in growing bodies.Lead generally is not present in source water but can enter the tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Prior to 1950, lead was used for exterior plumbing connections and can be found in older buildings. If the service line at your property is made of lead, you are encouraged to utilize this program to replace it and protect the health of residents in the building.

What Can I Do to Reduce the Risk?

  • Use only cold water for drinking and cooking
  • Before drinking, flush the water system by running the tap until the water is cold to the touch, especially if you have not used the water for a few hours; the longer water remains standing in a lead pipe, the greater the chance lead can leach into the water
  • Put a bottle of water in the refrigerator at night for early morning use
  • Replace your private lead water service

The Program

The Lead Replacement Incentive Program exists to encourage property owners to replace private lead water services. While private water service connections are the responsibility of the owner, BWSC has developed this program as an incentive to remove lead from water services. The lead replacement will come at no cost to the owner.

What is a Private Water Service?

It is the portion of the water service pipe running from the property line into the building. This pipe may be made of or contain lead.

Eligibility

Property owners are eligible to participate in the program if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The property is served by a 2 inches or smaller water service pipe, which contains lead
  • The water and sewer account for the property is active and not delinquent
  • The property owner agrees to have the work done by BWSC
  • The work presents no extraordinary physical obstacles. For example, BWSC will not make a repair that requires removal of a porch, stairs, wall, fence, or shrubs

BWSC reserves the right to determine the eligibility of a property.

How to Apply

To apply, call the Lead Hotline at 617-989-7888. Your property will be reviewed, you may enroll, if eligible the replacement will come at no cost to owner. Service replacement work is generally performed from April to October and is subject to availability.

Additional Resources

For more information, call the Lead Hotline at 617-989-7888.

Lead Replacement Brochure

 

Supplemental Resources


Boston Public Health Commission
617-534-5395

Department of Environmental Protection
E-mail:  [email protected]
617-292-5770

Environmental Protection Agency
1-800-424-LEAD (5323)

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
617-242-LEAD (5323)