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Keeping Connecticut's Water Safe

Connecticut is working hard to make sure your drinking water is safe from lead.

Public water systems across our state are checking water pipes to find ones made of lead*. These pipes connect the main water line to homes and buildings. When water flows through lead pipes, the lead can get into your drinking water. This is dangerous for your health.

*Note: These efforts are specifically focused on customers of public water systems and do not apply to homeowners with private wells. For more information on private well testing click here.

Removing Lead to Protect CT Families

The goal is for CT’s public water systems to find and replace all lead pipes within their systems in the next 10 years.

Your water supplier must follow rules to keep your water safe. But water that travels through lead pipes can still put you and your family at risk. Lead is most harmful to:

  • Young children
  • Babies
  • Pregnant women and their unborn babies

Lead can cause serious health problems that can last a lifetime. That’s why finding and removing lead pipes is so important.

Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself and your family from lead in drinking water.

Lead Safety: What You Need to Know

What is lead and why should I care?

Lead is a metal that can harm your health, especially for children and pregnant women. Even small amounts can damage a child’s brain, causing learning problems and lower IQ. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water.

What health problems can lead cause?

In children under 6:

  • Brain and learning problems
  • Behavior issues
  • Slowed growth
  • Hearing damage

In pregnant women:

  • Risk of miscarriage
  • High blood pressure during pregnancy
  • Harm to the baby’s brain and development

In adults:

  • Fertility problems
  • Kidney damage
  • High blood pressure
  • Memory problems
  • Joint and muscle pain
How do I know if I've been exposed to lead?

The only way to know is with a blood test. Connecticut law requires children under 6 to be tested. Talk to your doctor about testing if you’re concerned.

How does lead get into my drinking water?

Lead gets into water from old pipes and plumbing parts. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes or parts. When water flows through these pipes, it can pick up lead.

How do I know if there's lead in my water?

The only way to know for sure is to test your water. You can:

Why is my water supplier asking about my water service line?

Your water supplier needs to find out what your pipes are made of to protect your health. Between the 1880s and 1940s, many water lines were made with lead. The government banned lead pipes in 1986, but many old ones are still in use. After lead got into drinking water in cities like Flint, Michigan, the EPA created a new rule in 2021. This rule requires water suppliers to find all lead pipes and replace them. That’s why they’re asking questions about your water service line.

Does this program apply to private wells?

If you have a private well, you are not a customer of a public water supplier. This means you are responsible for your home’s water supply. Some older homes may have plumbing systems that were constructed with materials that may contain lead. DPH recommends testing for lead at least once and more frequently if a pregnant person or children under the age of 6 years reside or frequently visit your home. For more information on lead and private well water, click here.

What is a water service line and why does it matter?

A water service line is the pipe that brings water from the main water line to your home. If this pipe is made of lead, it can put lead in your drinking water. Water suppliers are working to find and replace these lead pipes.

How can I check my service line?
  1. Find where the pipe enters your home (usually in the basement)
  2. Gently scratch the pipe with a coin – lead is soft and will show a silver color
  3. Try a magnet – it won’t stick to lead
  4. Contact your water supplier if you think your pipe is lead

How can I protect my family if I'm concerned about lead?
  • Run cold water for 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking
  • Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula
  • Clean your faucet aerator (the screen at the end) regularly
  • Use a filter certified to remove lead
  • Do not boil water to remove lead – this doesn’t work
Where can I get help?

If you find lead pipes in your home, contact your water supplier. There may be funding to help replace them. For health concerns, talk with your doctor about testing for lead exposure.

For more information about testing for lead poisoning, visit the CDC website at: CDC Lead Testing Information

Who can I contact for more information?

You should call your public water system with any questions regarding their efforts to identify and eliminate lead pipes.