Newport Water Division Crews Going Door-To-Door To Find Lead In Pipes

NEWPORT, RI — Crews from the Newport Water Division will be going door-to-door to Aquidneck Island residents to identify lead service lines across the region.

The door knocking campaign, which is beginning this week, is part of the city’s "Get the Lead Out" program that aims to identify privately owned lead pipes that service homes and businesses. While Newport’s advanced treatment process filters any trace of lead from its water supply, elevated levels of lead can still occur from privately owned service lines and plumbing.

To reduce potential lead exposure from service lines, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed its lead and copper rule to require the nation’s water providers, including Newport, to create an inventory of its service lines that shows what the lines are made of, including those found inside private homes and businesses.

Historically, the responsibility for maintaining service lines has been split between the utility and its customers, with the city responsible for water lines running from its network of public water mains up to external shut-off valves or property lines, and customers responsible for service lines that run under their property and into their home or business.

To "Get the Lead Out," city officials said Newport has been investigating its public service lines but is now looking for help from residents to determine the types of pipe that runs inside individual homes and businesses.

Newport Water Division crews will be canvassing neighborhoods in both Newport and Middletown throughout the summer, typically between 5 and 8 p.m. during the work week and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

City officials said the Newport Water Division crews are required to wear identifying uniforms and drive clearly marked vehicles. Crews must be given permission to enter any property, and if you have suspicion regarding the legitimacy of a visit, call the Newport Water Division at (401) 845-5600.

Property owners may also self-report lead service lines by visiting www.CityofNewport.com/Lead and clicking on the link that says "Water Service Line Self-Identification Survey."

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