Kelruss t1_j2uggmu wrote on January 4, 2023 at 12:51 AM

You can view the lead service location map here, which will (likely) show whether or not your residence has a lead service line. If you do, you should consider investing in a water filter that is rated to filter out lead or possibly think about delivery (if you can afford it/for peace of mind).

That said; lead in the pipes is supposed to be fairly inert if they're not being disturbed (Providence Water warns customers that replacing the lead service line, which is indeed an expense, can cause elevated lead levels in water for months; though, after of course, no more risk of lead), and relatively safe to drink.

Pipe issues aside, the water itself is fine and you shouldn't feel worried about drinking it.

However, if you're experiencing cloudy water with a different taste, you should talk to your apartment management, as there could be something else going on in your apartment's/building's pipes.

GotenRocko t1_j2xcqt4 wrote on January 4, 2023 at 4:43 PM

The elevated lead levels is because they used to only replace the city side of the water pipe, leaving it up to the owner to choose to replace the other side or not. That's why that map is unfortunately very inaccurate. You could have a city side copper service but the owner side is still lead, before flint the percentage of owners that opted to replace thier side was very low. I believe now they do replace both sides but not 100% on that. But if both sides are replaced then the elevated levels is not something that will happen.

Especially if you have children or have children that visit your home it's best to get an actual water test to determine if you have lead pipes regardless of the age of your home and not rely on that map, unless the whole area is newer like parts of west Cranston, since the developments were built after the use of lead lines were discontinued. I don't think the federal regulations reflect the newer science, but there is no longer a safe allowable level of lead for kids, it needs to be zero.

Kelruss t1_j2xrgy4 wrote on January 4, 2023 at 6:14 PM

I was under the impression that it displays owner side lead? Like, I know they replaced the lead lines on my street, but we still have lead in my house, and that’s reflected on this map.

GotenRocko t1_j2xtk7p wrote on January 4, 2023 at 6:27 PM

you are right, but it's just their guess for most of the services as they did not track the owner-side material until a few years ago. The way they are doing it is if the whole street was replaced during a water main replacement or relining then it's not likely the other side is copper, if the whole street was not replaced then it's likely the owner asked for a service line replacement and in that case, the owner side would be copper if the public side is copper since it's required that the owner replace their side before PW replaces the public side, although there are rare instances where it didn't happen. So if you want to be certain get a test done.