FAQs - Service Line Notices

FAQs For Water Customers Receiving Notice of a Galvanized or Unknown Service Line Material

The latest US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead & Copper Rule Improvements requires all public water suppliers to inventory the material type and location of every water service line connected to their distribution systems. Water service lines are the pipes that connect homes and businesses to the City’s water mains. The first baseline report of this inventory must be submitted to the EPA by October 16, 2024. 

The EPA also requires water suppliers to notify customers with galvanized water pipes, and customers they haven’t been able to reach through ongoing inventory processes (the “unknowns”). These notification letters were mailed to Portsmouth water customers mid-October, 2024. 

What information does the notice include?

• A statement that your service line material is either lead, galvanized, or unknown.
• An explanation of the health effects of lead.
• Steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead.
• Information on replacing your service line if it is confirmed galvanized requiring replacement.
• Information on opportunities to verify the material of the service line if it is unknown.

What should I do if I receive a notice?

1. If your letter says your service line is “unknown” you need to contact the City to schedule an inspection of your service line. You can also inspect and report the service line material yourself. Contact Mason Caceres, Assistant Water Resource Manager, at 603-312-3804 or mecaceres@cityofportsmouth.com to schedule an inspection.

    

2. If your letter says your service line is “unknown at curb-stop valve”, the City’s Water Division will be vacuum-excavating (“potholing”) the curb-stop valve to identify the service line material on both the city- and private-side of the valve. The letter is simply to inform you this will happen at the curb.

    

3. If your letter says your service line is galvanized pipe, you should start planning to replace the water service line inside your house or business as soon as you are able. The EPA requires all galvanized service lines to be replaced before 2037. You can contact one of the contractors who are qualified to install service lines according to City of Portsmouth Water Division standards, (list available on the City’s website: https://portsnh.co/3ZGYcBr). The contractor will need to coordinate with the City’s Water Division for an installation inspection and connection to the curb-stop valve. Financial assistance for replacing galvanized service lines may become available in 2025 through a state or federal loan program. If you have any questions about replacing your galvanized service line you can contact Zach Cronin, Assistant City Engineer at (603) 957-8795, (603) 610-7304 or zmcronin@cityofportsmouth.com. 

What if I do not receive a notice?

If you do not receive a notice, the Portsmouth Water Division has visually inspected and identified your service line material. If you would like to know the material type of your service, please contact Chris Vakili, Stormwater & Water Quality GIS Specialist at waterservice@cityofportsmouth.com.