Frequently Asked Questions

Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) is committed to providing a safe source of drinking water to its customers and works tirelessly to keep that commitment. NPU treats, tests, and distributes high-quality drinking water to you and the community. The water NPU provides every day is lead-free when it leaves the treatment plant and meets all EPA Drinking Water Standards. Corrosion control treatment is added to the water prior to leaving the plant to prevent corrosion of the mains and services within our distribution system.

After water leaves the NPU water main, however, it may be exposed to lead as it flows through a lead service line and into in-home plumbing and fixtures. Not all homes contain lead service lines or fixtures. If your home was built before 1986, its service line may be made of lead. Make sure that any plumbing fixtures you install are certified to be lead-free.

A service line is a pipe that connects the water main in the street to your household plumbing. In the NPU service area, NPU owns the portion of it from the water main (in the street) to the curb stop (outside the home). The service line is owned by the property owner from the curb stop (generally located near the property line) into the residence.

NPU has partnered with Arcadis to complete these surveys.  Arcadis staff will be on site to complete both types of surveys and can be identified by NPU car magnets, Arcadis contractor photo badges, and NPU contractor photo badges.  Please call NPU customer service with any concerns.

NPU has created an initial inventory of lead service lines based on construction and field verification records, but those records are not complete. To improve our inventory, NPU has hired a contractor to perform select in-home verification surveys. The in-home verification survey includes a physical assessment of the property’s water service line near the water meter to determine the current service line material. Access to the service line inside the home (often in the basement) is required for a verification test; homeowners will be notified ahead of time if their home has been scheduled for a survey. The results of the survey will be provided to customers at the time the inspection is completed.

Identification of the type of material used for service lines and in-home plumbing can be done using a magnet and a coin or key following the instructions below.

Service Line Identification Steps:

Step 1: Locate your water meter

The service line usually enters the home in the basement and then connects to the water meter.

Step 2: Hold a magnet to the pipe

Hold a magnet to the pipe between where it enters your home and where it connects to the water meter. Note whether it sticks to the pipe.

Step 3: Scratch the pipe

Use a coin or key to scratch the pipe near where you held the magnet (between where it enters the home and where it connects to the water meter). Note the color that appears.

Step 4: Interpret your results

Lead Metal: Not magnetic. Silvery-gray and shiny when scratched

Plastic (PVC): Not magnetic. Typically, white

Galvanized Steel: Magnetic. Silver-gray when scratched

Copper: Not magnetic. Orange and shiny when scratched

Please refer to the What to Know About Your Drinking Water material for information. If you suspect you have a lead service line, reach out to NPU at 860-887-2555 or GettheLeadOut@npumail.com to schedule your free in-home evaluation.