In the fall of 2024, the Town of Arlington sent notifications to some members of the public to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).  

In 2021 EPA published the LCRR to better protect children and communities from lead exposure risks and to support efforts to remove lead from drinking water. The LCRR requires all Public Water Systems across the country to complete an inventory of water service lines connected to their distribution system and develop a Lead Service Line Replacement Plan to remove them by October 2037.  

The Town of Arlington recently submitted its Initial Inventory to EPA, which it has been working on since 2016. The inventory includes the pipe material and other information for both the system-owned and customer-owned portions of the service line the water main and a structure. The Inventory is available for the public review at Public Works, 51 Grove Street, floor 2 or may view the inventory online. 

The Inventory has been submitted to MassDEP, however, some service lines have been identified as an unknown material type. The Town is required to identify these unknown water service lines and is asking residents at these properties to assist. To that end, in November 2024, Public Works mailed notifications letters to owners and renters of approximately 3,500 properties in the inventory whose water service material is unknown.  

Notifications are also being mailed to owners and renters of properties in the inventory lead (24), or galvanized requiring replacement (2) service lines. These letters include recommendations for next steps. There are approximately 12,700 water service lines in Arlington.  

This is a very important initiative that recipients of letters should pay close attention to.  

If you receive a notification that you have a lead or galvanized requiring replacement service line, please read the letter and take the appropriate action.   

If you receive a notification that you have unknown material, please find your address on the Water Service Line Inventory for next steps. 

It is imperative for the Town to complete its Inventory so it can develop its Replacement Plan and ensure Arlington’s water system is lead-free.   

For reference about this project, Arlington Town Manager, Jim Feeney talks about the program in the first 10 minutes of his November 14, 2024 Town Hall Update. Watch the video below. 

What level of concern I should have?

MWRA water is lead-free when it leaves the reservoirs. MWRA treats the water to minimize the risk of lead leeching into the water from household pipes and water line services. As part of LCR and LCRR the Town annually tests a sample of homes that have been identified as having a risk of lead pipe. In the last five years, those samples did not reach exceedance levels for mass notification of lead.  

If you are concerned you can arrange to have your water tested, at your expense. Download a list of certified labs from mass.gov.  

View more information about lead in your drinking water.   

If I test my water, what results should I be looking for?  

If your test results reach the lead action level of 15 parts per billion (15 ppb) or over, please call 781-316-3106 or email waterleadquestions@town.arlington.ma.us  

What can I do if I am concerned about my child’s potential lead exposure?  

Contact your healthcare provider or pediatrician.  

How to Inspect Your Own Service Line  

Watch this video How to Find Out if You Have a Lead Water Service Line.  All you need is to find your water service line, a screwdriver, and a magnet.   

Due to the anticipated interest from over 3,500 residents, we ask that you use the form found on the Inventory to send your results, schedule an appointment, or request to have your questions answered. Only residents that require action will see the form. Thank you for your patience as we get back to everyone who is impacted by this program.  

What has the Town done to remove lead service lines? And what are the next steps? 

Read the October 17, 2024 update on Arlington’s Service Line Inventory and Lead Pipe Removal Program from Public Works Director, Michael Rademacher.  

If my service is lead or galvanized requiring replacement what financial support is available to replace it?

At this time the Town has a program to replace the homeowner’s portion of lead service line at no cost. Please call 781-316-3106 or waterleadquestions@town.arlington.ma.us  

Why doesn’t the Town already know the material of the water service lines?

Arlington is an old town. Many water service lines are old and records do not indicate material type.  Water service lines are buried underground and generally are not disturbed unless there is a problem. Since 2016 Arlington Public Works has been compiling existing records related to water service lines to create its current inventory into a digital format.   

Who is impacted by this program?