Lead Service Line Replacement Program Overview
- Lead Service Line Replacement Flush Your Plumbing is also available as PDF
If your lead service line has been replaced, small amounts of lead from your old service line may have entered the pipes in your house. As a result, you should not use any water (hot or cold) before flushing your indoor plumbing. To flush your indoor plumbing thoroughly, make sure to just use COLD water (no hot) and follow these steps:
STEP 1. Locate all water faucets in the house where you can run the water without the sink or tub overflowing.
Be sure to include any laundry tubs and utility sinks.
For showers attached to bathtubs, use the bathtub faucet.
For showers not attached to bathtubs, remove the showerheads, if possible.
Make sure all drains are open and clear so water can flow freely down the drains.
STEP 2. Remove aerators (screens) from faucets and showerheads.
STEP 3. Turn on faucets in the basement or lowest floor of your home.
Open COLD water faucets all the way and let the water come out as fast
as it can.
Note that the water may splash and spray because you have removed
the aerators.
Keep the water running from all faucets at the highest rate possible.
STEP 4. Repeat STEP 3 on each floor of your home, moving from the bottom up.
Repeat this step until you fully open all COLD water faucets on all floors
of the home.
STEP 5. After all the faucets are open, let the water run for 30 minutes.
STEP 6. After 30 minutes, turn the water off.
Start with the basement or the lowest floor.
Move up to each floor, closing the faucets in the order that you opened
them.
STEP 7. Clean the aerators and put them back on each faucet.
If aerators are old or worn, consider replacing them with new ones.
