WATER LINES
Lead and Galvanized Water Lines in New Haven: What to Do
The Regional Water Authority has until 2037 to replace lead and galvanized service lines. How to check yours and what to handle inside the house.
Updated September 2026 · New Haven, CT
Look up your address on the Regional Water Authority's service line map. If your line is lead or galvanized, the RWA plans to replace it at no direct cost to you by 2037. The pipes and fixtures inside your house are still yours to check.
Why this is happening now
The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, published October 30, 2024, require water systems to replace lead service lines and galvanized lines requiring replacement between 2027 and 2037. That includes the section on the customer's side, from the curb stop to the house.
The RWA says it has already replaced most lead pipe on its own side. Across its system it has identified 7 confirmed and 10 suspected lead service lines, and 12 of those 17 are in Milford, which is why replacements start there.
How to check your line
- Search your address on the RWA service line inventory map.
- If it says unknown, find where the water line enters the basement, before the meter.
- Lead is dull gray, soft, and a scratch with a key shows shiny silver. A magnet won't stick.
- Galvanized steel is gray and threaded, and a magnet sticks to it.
- Call the RWA at 833-RWA-LEAD (833-792-5323) to schedule an inspection.
What the RWA program leaves inside the house
Lead was common in service lines until 1960 and in solder and fixtures until 1986. A new service line does nothing about lead solder on copper joints or an old faucet in the kitchen. If your house was built before 1986, those are worth a look.
Old galvanized pipe inside the walls is a separate problem. It closes up with rust over time, which is why so many older New Haven houses have weak pressure upstairs. Our low water pressure guide covers the signs.
What to do this week
- Look up your address and note the material listed for your line.
- If you have a lead or galvanized line and want it gone before the RWA reaches your street, call us to replace the water line. The RWA says it isn't reimbursing owners for replacements done outside its program, so weigh the timing.
Quick answers
Does the RWA charge to replace a lead service line?
The RWA says it will replace lead service lines and galvanized lines requiring replacement at no direct cost to the property owner or tenant through its program. If an owner opts out, a later replacement is on the owner.
When will my line be replaced?
The RWA is required to finish by 2037 and says it's building a schedule, starting in Milford, where most of its suspected lead lines are. It will contact owners directly to schedule.
If my service line is replaced, is all the lead gone?
Maybe. Homes built before 1986 can still have lead solder on copper joints and older fixtures with lead in them. A licensed plumber can check the pipes and fixtures inside the house.
Does boiling water remove lead?
No. The RWA says boiling doesn't remove lead and can concentrate it. Run the cold tap about 5 minutes and use a filter certified to NSF 53 for lead if you're concerned.
Source: Regional Water Authority, Lead & Galvanized Steel Service Line Replacement Program FAQ
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