Water Department to Send Annual Water Service Line Material Notifications

Water Department to Send Annual Water Service Line Material Notifications

December 23, 2025

The City of Haverhill Water Department is notifying residents and property owners that drinking water service line material notices will be mailed by the end of December.

These annual notices, which began last year, are required under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which require all public water systems to identify and notify property owners and customers where water service line materials are classified as lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown based on current records and field information.

What this means

The notices are informational and precautionary.

Receiving a notice does not mean your water is unsafe to drink.

The purpose is to share information, explain health considerations, and outline steps to reduce potential lead exposure while service line materials are verified.

Why you may receive a notice

A water service line is the pipe that connects a home or business to the City's water main. Some service line materials in Haverhill are documented, while others require further investigation to determine whether the pipe is lead or was previously connected to lead-containing materials. Federal regulations require annual notification until it is confirmed that the material is not lead or galvanized requiring replacement. Some properties may receive a notice stating that the service line material is unknown and requires verification, while others may be notified that the service line contains lead or is galvanized requiring replacement. If your service is not lead or galvanized requiring replacement, you will not receive a notice.

What will the notice include?

The notices will include:

• An explanation of why the notice was sent.
• Information on the health effects of lead.
• Steps you can take to reduce potential exposure.
• ·       Options to verify or replace your service line.
• ·       Instructions for landlords and property managers, where applicable

Financial assistance for eligible homeowners to replace lead service lines

Income-eligible homeowners may qualify for financial assistance through the Housing Rehabilitation & Code Correction Program (HRCCP) for service line replacement. Assistance is in the form of a 0% deferred payment loan, payable only if the property is sold or transferred, or ceases to be the applicant's principal residence. There are no monthly payments.

Eligibility requires that the applicant's total household income be at or below 80% of the Lawrence, MA-NH area median income, as established by HUD. Click here to see current income limits.

Please contact the Community Development Department at (978) 374-2344 to determine whether you are eligible for this program.

What if your property is multi-family or non-owner-occupied?

If you are a landlord, property manager, or responsible party for a building with multiple occupants, the mailed notice will include instructions for posting or distributing copies so that all residents or tenants receive the required information.

Learn more

Residents can view the City's current service line inventory online at City of Haverhill, Water Service Line Inventory

Questions?

For questions about the notices, service line verification, or inspections, please contact the Haverhill Water Department:

·       125 Amesbury Road, Haverhill, MA 01830

·       (978) 374-2368

·       Email:  LSL@haverhillma.gov