For nearly 150 years, Newport has consistently met state and federal drinking water standards, including regulations on lead in drinking water. It is important to note that our drinking water is tested for lead when it leaves our treatment plant and is free of lead when it enters our water system. While our treatment process protects your water to the tap, exposure can still occur from lead service lines and private plumbing.
A water service line connects our water main to a home or business. 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. For the first time ever, water providers must also record what lines inside private homes and businesses are made of.
The responsibility for maintaining the service lines is split between Newport and our customers. Newport is responsible for the water lines where they run from our mains to our external shut-off valves or the property lines. Customers are responsible for the water lines from the external shut-off valves or property lines into their homes and businesses.
To get the lead out, Newport is investigating the service lines where we are responsible. When lead is discovered, we will report our discovery to the customer and relay steps both Newport and the customer can take to reduce their potential exposure.
We also need your help when it comes to finding out what material makes up the line inside your home or business. Unless you request Newport staff to check the service line, we cannot enter your property to investigate the part of the line you’re responsible for.
To find and check the water service line in your home or business, you can use this step-by-step guide: https://apps.npr.org/find-lead-pipes-in-your-home/en/#intro. After you check your service line, Newport asks you to report your findings through this short survey.
Complete Water Service Line Self-Identification Survey If you report having a lead service line, our staff will contact you to provide you with assistance that will reduce your potential exposure to lead as we regularly test your water to make sure our treatment process is continuing to protect you.
For more information, we invite you to contact leadinfo@cityofnepwort.com or (401) 845-5600.
HELP US IDENTIFY LEAD SERVICE LINES To find and check the water service line in your home or business, you can use this step-by-step guide: https://apps.npr.org/find-lead-pipes-in-your-home/en/#intro. After you check your service line, Newport asks you to report your findings through this short survey.
Complete Water Service Line Self-Identification Survey