City water customers with unknown water service line material to receive letters

posted on 11/18/2024

As you may be aware, the City of Dover, NH, in accordance with federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water regulations, submitted an inventory of all water service lines connected to its public drinking water system. Specifically, the City’s inventory includes identification of all known service line materials on both the public and private sides of each service.

The City of Dover is notifying all customers in its water system, by mail, whose service line materials are unknown for either the city side, the private side, or both as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Please note that receiving a letter from the City does not mean that there is lead material within your water service; however, since the City does not have a definitive record, there is a possibility. Click here to read the notice.

Lead in drinking water can cause serious health problems, especially for young children, infants and developing fetuses. If found, these materials should be replaced as soon as possible. If you suspect there is lead in your drinking water system or live in a home built before 1989, you can mitigate its effects until the plumbing materials are identified and replaced.

The good news is that together, City staff can help determine your water line material and put your mind at ease. Please contact the City of Dover Community Services Department by phone, or email, for assistance in determining your service line material. If necessary, we can send a City of Dover Community Services employee to help. The process of identifying the service line material inside a building can take less than 30 minutes without disrupting your water service. Investigations on the exterior of the building may also be required but also will not impact service to the property. Any property disturbed as part of the investigation will be returned to its pre-disturbed condition.

What do I do if I receive a letter?

All customers receiving a letter should contact Community Services at 603-516-6450 to schedule a visit to confirm your service line materials as soon as possible.

Owners of commercial and industrial businesses must display the documents provided by the City in a conspicuous location for all employees of the establishment to view.

Rental property owners must provide a complete copy of the materials to all tenants at their affected properties.

What is a water service line?

A water service line is the pipe delivering drinking water from the water main to homes, businesses and schools. It includes a shutoff valve known as a curbstop (typically located at the property line) that delineates maintenance and upkeep responsibilities. The materials on both sides of the service line need to be identified regardless of ownership, per EPA regulations.

What is Dover doing to protect water consumers?

The City of Dover utilizes a corrosion control program to prevent the leaching of lead and copper from pipes and materials within its system. This federal requirement for all public water systems includes sampling and testing of harmful containments. Dover’s sampling results are below the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level, published in its annual Consumer Confidence Report. View current and past editions at https://bit.ly/DoverNHWaterQualityReports.

I’m concerned I have lead pipes. What can I do now to reduce exposure?

Identify and replace any lead materials in your water system, including faucets, valves, and soldered joints. Contact the City of Dover Community Services Department for a free water test and to confirm your service line materials.

In the meantime, you can follow the following steps to reduce lead exposure:

• Run your water to flush out lead for a minute or more to flush out the system, especially if the water hasn’t been used in several hours. 
• Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula.
• For those who are pregnant, or for infants and young children, consider using bottled water or use water filters certified for lead removal.
• Clean the faucet screen (also known as aerator) regularly.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450.