Meriden's Hidden Threat: Are You Drinking Water Through a Lead Pipe?
A Local Homeowner's Guide to the New EPA Lead Line Replacement Mandate
Section 1: The Local Crisis & Urgency
Here in Meriden, we pride ourselves on maintaining our homes and looking after our families. But there is a silent, unseen threat buried under our streets and inside our foundations: the lead water service line.
You may have seen the recent notices from the Meriden Water Division (MWD) or news reports. The reality is that many homes built before 1986 have service lines that contain lead, and the MWD's records are often incomplete. This means your home could be supplied by a lead pipe that is slowly leaching toxins into your tap water.
The clock is ticking: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now mandated that all public water utilities must replace every lead service line within the next 10 years. This isn't a suggestion—it's the law.
At R&R Plumbing, we are Meriden's family-run experts. We specialize in complex water line replacements and know exactly how to guide you through this process to secure your family's health and property value.
​
​​
​
​Section 2: The Two-Part Pipe (Where You Are Responsible)
​
Understanding the service line is crucial for knowing your responsibility and securing funding. The water line connecting your home to the main street pipe is split into two parts:
-
The Public Side (MWD Responsibility): Runs from the main line to the curb box (property line). The MWD is responsible for this, and Federal/State funding is available to cover this cost.
-
The Customer Side (Your Responsibility): Runs from the curb box (property line) into your home's foundation. You, the homeowner, are financially responsible for replacing this pipe.
The key to a successful, affordable replacement is coordinating both sides to be done simultaneously. Your private side is where R&R Plumbing steps in.
Section 3: Your Immediate Action Plan
​
The most immediate step you can take is to determine what type of pipe you have. You don't need to dig up your yard—you just need a flashlight.
How to Identify Your Service Line at Home:
-
Locate the Entry Point: Find where the service line enters your basement or crawl space, usually near the water meter.
-
Inspect the Material: Look for a dark gray, dull pipe that may be covered in corrosion. Lead is soft and can often be easily scratched with a screwdriver (do this carefully). If the scratch mark is shiny silver, it is likely lead.
-
Take a Photo: Take a clear photo of the pipe where it enters the wall. This is the exact information we need to provide a preliminary quote.
Section 4: R&R's 3-Step Lead Service Solution
When you call R&R Plumbing, you’re not just hiring a contractor; you’re hiring a partner to navigate the local bureaucracy and complete the job efficiently.
-
Virtual Assessment & Quote: Send us your photos via our dedicated Quote Submission form. We will analyze your setup, estimate the necessary pipe run (likely Copper or PEX), and provide a fast, accurate virtual quote for your customer-side line replacement.
-
Expert Excavation & Replacement: Our licensed team specializes in low-impact excavation to access the line and replace the old lead pipe with safe, modern materials. We manage the job from start to finish, ensuring proper connection and compliance.
-
MWD Coordination: We help coordinate your replacement with the MWD's schedule, maximizing your chance of having both sides replaced concurrently and taking advantage of available funding for the public side.
​​​
​
Section 5: Conclusion
​
Your family's health is your greatest investment. While the MWD is focused on the water main, the responsibility—and the danger—starts at your foundation. Don't wait until the city mandates a rush job. Replacing your lead service line now ensures your water safety, maximizes your funding opportunities, and protects your home's value for the next decade.
​
​