Lead Service Lines
Lead Service Line Inventory
The Village of Perry is required to develop a water service line inventory of all residences to help protect our community from the risks of lead exposure through drinking water. You can check on the service line for your home using the most recent inventory (updated as of November 14, 2024).
Additionally, the Village has received grant funding through the NYS Department of Health to begin replacing lead service lines. If a lead line is found servicing your home, you could qualify for full replacement of the lead line.
Information on Lead Service Lines
A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building inlet. The Village of Perry owns the service line from the water main to the curb stop and property owners own the service line from the curb stop to the house.
What is a Lead Status Unknown Service Line and what does it mean?
When any section of the service line material is unknown, we need to categorize it as a lead status unknown service line. We don’t know what your service line or portion of it is made of. Until we can confirm that the entire length of your service line is not made of lead, we will continue to provide information about lead in drinking water once a year, so you can take precautionary measures to minimize your potential exposure to lead in drinking water.
What is a Galvanized Service Line Requiring Replacement (GSLRR) and what does it mean?
A GSLRR is a service line that is made of galvanized steel and:
- was downstream of a lead service line, or
- was downstream of an unknown material, or
- is downstream of an unknown material.
Either we replaced the lead service line, or we don’t know if there is or was a lead service line upstream of your galvanized service line. A galvanized service line is a potential source of lead as it can absorb lead from a lead service line and release it to drinking water later.
What is a Lead Service Line and what does it mean?
When any section of the service line is made of lead, it is a lead service line. Having a lead service line doesn’t necessarily mean your drinking water contains an elevated level of lead. However, a lead service line has been identified as a source of lead and may contribute to lead in drinking water. This can happen when the characteristics of water (for example, low pH) increase the corrosion of lead pipes. Removing the lead service line is a sure way to reduce your chance of exposure to lead in drinking water.Source of Lead in Drinking Water
Lead enters drinking water from a lead service line and indoor plumbing materials such as lead solder on copper pipes and chrome-plated brass or brass fixtures and faucets.
Health Effects of Lead
*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.*
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
- Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
- Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
- Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
- Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact the Superintendent of Public Works, Steve Deaton, at sdeaton@villageofperry.com for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
- Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at 585-237-2216 or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
- Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact the Superintendent of Public Works, Steve Deaton, at sdeaton@villageofperry.com to find out about construction or maintenance that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
- Have your water tested. To find a certified laboratory to test the lead levels in your drinking water, click here.
Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in their Blood
You may wish to speak with a healthcare provider to see if your child’s blood lead level is elevated and/or if there is a need for blood testing, if you are concerned about potential exposure. For more information on these actions, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/advisory/acclpp/actions-blls.htm.
If you have any questions about your service line, call us at 585-237-2216. For more information on lead in drinking water, contact Wyoming County Health Department at (585) 786-8894, or HEALTH@wyomingcountyny.gov.
