Lead in Water

While the main water pipes in the City of Boston have not been replaced, there still may be lead in your drinking water.

Water service pipes are the pipes that deliver water to your home from Boston Water and Sewer Commission's water main. Some of these water service pipes may contain lead and this lead can be transferred into the water traveling through the pipes.

Test Your Water for Free!

As part of its lead-free drinking water initiative, LAC is currently able to provide free lead in drinking water test kits to City of Boston residents. If you would like a free test kit, please contact us.

Checking Service Pipes to Your Home

The Boston Water and Sewer Commission provides an online tool for residents to research lead service lines on their property.

Boston Water and Sewer Commission Lead Maps

• Once at the site, drag the drop-down menu to your neighborhood, then drag the next drop-down menu to your street name, and click "submit".
• The next page will show a list of addresses on this street. Click "next" until your street number appears.
• An "N" next to your address indicates that the service pipes to your home do not contain lead.
• A "Y" next to your address indicates that the service pipes may contain lead.

Decreasing Exposure to Lead in Water

If your address shows that the service pipes to your home contain lead, there are simple steps to take to decrease your family's exposure to lead in the drinking water.

1. Flush the Water- The first time you use tap water for drinking or cooking after several hours, make sure to let the water run for 15-30 seconds. This ensures that the water is coming from the main line, not the service line, where lead could have contaminated the water.

2. Use Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking- Hot water more easily dissolves lead from the pipes, so it is more likely to have lead in it. It is safer to drink and cook with cold water, which does not dissolve lead easily.

3. Remove Loose Solder and Debris- In order to remove any debris in the pipes, remove the faucet strainers on all taps and allow the water to run for 3-5 minutes.

4. Replace Lead Solder- If any copper pipes in your home were joined with lead solder (which will look dull-gray) after 1986, this was an illegal act by the plumber who did the work, and it will be his responsibility to replace the lead solder with lead-free solder.

5. Use a Home Treatment Device- Certain water filtration systems will effectively remove lead from tap water. A list of devices can be found through the National Sanitation Foundation.