Aquarion has worried a number of Westport homeowners.
They’ve freaked out many others.
In letters received Friday and Saturday, customers of the water company were told: “Our most recent service line inventory indicates that some or all of the water service line materials between the water main and your property are of unknown material classification. Unknown means that the service line may be lead.” (Bold words are Aquarion’s.)
People living in homes with a lead or galvanized pipe once connected to a lead service line — especially pregnant women and young children — can suffer serious health problems, Aquarion noted.
They include decreased IQ and attention spans, and learning and behavior problems in youths, and increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system issues in adults.
The utility offered tips for “anyone who drinks or cooks with water at this property.”
There was also a link to a website to “help determine the material of your service line,” information on how to replace a lead service line. and a link for more information. (You can also call 866-728-5021, or email lead@aquarionwater.com.)
One recipient called the letter “ominous and cryptic.”
Another who contacted “06880” noted that while the tone of the letter was serious, it appeared to be written “by and for lawyers.”
A third recipient described it more bluntly: “Aquarion covering their ass.”
Representative Town Meeting member Jennifer Johnson says that, according to a footnote in the Bridgeport Main Report, Aquarion had not yet tested Westport’s wells.
She followed up with the Aspetuck Health District. Director Mark Cooper told her that the town of Westport does not test water; only Aquarion does.
“This is an open issue,” she says.
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Count me among the freaked out! I live in a townhouse complex and seem to be the only recipient of the cryptic letter. Seems improbable. And I’ve really no idea what to do or if I should be worried. ???
What are we supposed to do about this? Been living here drinking the water for 40 years!!!
TIme to call the Attorney General, William Tong !
I’m in Trumbull where Aquarion also recently completed a service line inventory to determine (Aquarion and customer-owned) service line material (e.g. plastic, copper, lead). They explained that the “Notice of unknown water service materials” letter we received was only due to the fact that when the construction crew initially came out and dug the small test hole in our front yard, “The service line investigation was not completed because the water line wasn’t properly marked.” They subsequently came back out, properly located the line, and did the test and advised that no lead material was found. I hope this helps some.
We were alarmed at our address here in Monroe. On Aquarion’s website map their line in the street is identified as CU. I checked my service line centering my basement and determined it is CU.
Guess I am OK?
I remember being startled a few years ago when Aquarion was replacing the ancient cast iron water main on Myrtle Avenue. Looking down into the trench in front of Christ and Holy Church, I could see what looked like a lead service line running to, I think, the church rectory. I asked one of the workmen “is that what I think it is?” He nodded his head.
By the way, for reasons unknown, Aquarion’s Coleytown well field is contaminated with the dreaded PFAS, aka “Forever Chemical”. After recently consulting with a helpful Aquarion engineer (who confirmed the contamination of our local water supply) I upgraded our existing filter system so that the PFAS is (allegedly) removed. Here’s hoping!
Speaking of spooky stuff in the water, the uber invasive and destructive Chinese Mitten Crab has arrived in town. Deadmans Brook appears to be a hotspot – or least the bit that runs beside our house sure does. The little monsters are apparently nearly indestructible and can live in any kind of water – or no water at all. An official from the CT State Fisheries Department is showing up tomorrow to pick up the ones we captured. They’re presently resting comfortably in our freezer.
The good news on the Saugatuck river is that private waterfront owners such as Broadbrook Marina, the VFW and the Saugatuck Rowing Association have taken the lead in restoring their morring and docking fields on the still navigable river,
The bad news for them and all users of the river is the Chinese Mitten Crab. It undermines and destroys the shoreline. https://portal.ct.gov/deep/invasive-species/examples-of-aquatic-invasive-species-in-connecticut
Mooring xqsmwa
Shouldn’t Aquarion have to take charge of and pay for the remediation to replace the lead-filled pipes with ones that are safe?
They’re not Aquarion’s lines. They’re the homeowners’ lines – which run from the curb box/water meter to the service address. Anything downsteam of the water meter is the responsibility of the property owner. Aquarion must be reviewing everyone’s curb box cards – which generally contain information such as the original connection date, the name of the plumber that did work on behalf of the property owner, the type of connection, pipe material and size, a sketch of the curb box with measurements to the nearest landmark (e.g. a telephone pole) and so on. Its legal department probably thought giving customers constructive notice of a possible problem with their service line was a good preemptive maneuver.
Lead poisoning in water doesn’t just happen in “underserved” communities like Flint anymore. Reality check? Widespread infrastructure problems abound. Tip of the iceberg. Probably an understatement, actually. Maybe invest in water-filter company stocks now? They’ll make coin off the citizen’s plight.
Would testing your water from a local environmental testing company for lead solve the issue of whether or not you need pipe remediation either from the street line or those inside the home?
Aquarion says there are many ways to have lead in water in addition to the pipes.
Simple solution: Put a whole-house filter on your incoming water line. No matter where you live, you should have one. And change the filters as recommended…
Peter Jennings
Property Manager
SCA Crowley Real Estate Services
As a lower cost alternative to a whole house filter, you can simply install an inline filter at your kitchen sink so that you have clean water for consumption. Check out Multipure.
examine the pipe as it enters your house in your basement or crawl space. Is the pipe hard ? Is it Plastic. Read how to do the coin test and magnet test for examining for lead pipes. If your house was built before 1988 check very carefully. If you had a home inspection the report should have documented it. It would be irresponsible and possibly negligent for a home inspection to be presented without examining for the presence of a lead pipe supply of water.
a simple finger prick capillary test can easily check a child’s blood for lead. it’s inexpensive. Children and compromised adults with health care issues are most vulnerable. its a lot less costly then a potential whole house filter system.
high quality KDF filters can be placed inside shower structures to filter lead chlorine and any toxic chemicals in water. They are effective
Prospect Rd. is going on year 4 ish of dealing with discolored water, flushing lines, redirecting water flow, etc. etc. it’s a major issue with no answers. we have asked about water testing, damage to lines, indoor plumbing etc. and have been told “the water is fine, just flush all your faucets”
Here is the initial article posted which was maybe a year after this all started. We have not received a letter that I am aware of on this new fun warning but am walking to the mailbox now.
https://06880danwoog.com/2021/09/29/the-rage-of-aquarion/amp/
$90 will get you a lead and copper water test to confirm the presence or not of lead.
who do you recommend to do this?
Aquarion is owned by Eversource, our electric company. Eversource has run its business badly and is trying to sell Aquarion in order to raise needed cash. Our state representative, Jonathan Steinberg, is familiar with the proposed sale. How any of that relates to lead in our water is an unknown to me, but if Eversource is run poorly, quite possibly Aquarion is as well.
I received one of these letters today stating that my service line was of an “unknown material”. It’s unfortunate that Aquarian apparently didn’t bother to check its own records for my service address before sending that letter. If had, it would have seen that my service line is made of 1″ copper tubing. Luckily, I have a copy of the tap card for my property which I requested from the company years ago.
Ass covering indeed .,.
QUESTIONS:
Are we dealing with a Flint, Michigan scenario?
Did everyone in Westport getthis letter?
If not, what was the criterion for receiving the letter?
Did somebody drop the ball in mapping water line connections?
Is there not a rule which would require such information for certificate of occupancy?
Wouldn’t Aquarion require disclosure of that information when authorizing a connection to its mains?
Are our governor and town officials aware of this?
What is government for? Governmental entities in affected towns and our State should be involved in clarifying the situation and aiding residents in the process.
W T F
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarion, Age of Aquarion. AQUARION!!!!! AQUARION!!!!