GET THE LEAD OUT

The Manchester Water Works has provided the citizens of Manchester and surrounding communities with the safest and most reliable water supply possible for over a century. Constant testing by our laboratory shows a drinking water quality that meets or exceeds all standards established by the United States US Environmental Protection Agency and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

This year Congress implemented legislation that set new standards for lead and copper. The standards are intended to help communities around the nation to reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water, as well as from other sources such as air, lead base paint, soil and dust. Lead paint is the main source of lead poisoning, however, lead contamination from water can contribute 10% to 20% of a person's exposure. Manchester Water Works has joined with 60,000 public water utilities throughout the country to begin testing for lead and copper at household taps. Although the water we supply is free of lead, and a corrosion inhibitor is added at the treatment process, lead may still be dissolved from your household piping system into the water if:

1.) You have a lead service line connecting your home to the water main, or
2.) Your home has lead pipes, or
3.) Your household copper piping has lead soldered joints.

The best way of removing any harmful traces of lead is to allow your water to run for 1 to 3 minutes before using it for cooking or drinking. This simple flushing should be done whenever water has remained stagnant in the piping system or not been used for a period of at least 3 hours.

If you have any questions concerning lead in drinking water or the lead testing program, please contact our water laboratory at 624-6482.