Material Identification and Validation

As part of Concord Water’s Water Service Line Inventory, Concord Water may need to visually inspect (look) at the water service line to some of our customers.  During an inspection, we examine both the section that runs from the water main to the shutoff valve (also known as the curb stop, typically located at the edge of the Right of Way) and the section from the shutoff valve into your home.  

This visual inspection is generally performed using vacuum excavation at the curb stop.   In most cases, we can assess the material of both portions of the water service line through a small 12-inch x 12-inch hole, minimizing any impact to our customers.

  1. 1 Vacuum Excavation

Why?

Concord Water may need to perform a visual inspection of your water service material for two main reasons

  1. Water Service Line Material is Unknown – After reviewing all available records, Concord Water has not been able to determine the material of at least one section of the water service line.  Over the next year, we will be organizing systematic inspections to identify materials for all unknown lines.
  2. Validation Pool – The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions require all Public Water Systems to validate a random number of non-lead water services lines installed before 1988, to ensure the accuracy of our Water Service Line Inventory (initially completed October 2024).        The number of service lines Concord Water is required to validate is based on the total number of non-lead water service lines in Town.  Over the next 10-years Concord is required to visually inspect 361 non-lead water service lines.   

Water Customer Notification

Prior to any vacuum excavation work taking place, affected neighbors will receive a door hanger notification about the upcoming work.  Concord Water will also contact DigSafe® to mark out any underground utilities.  

Vacuum excavation  will typically be performed Monday -Thursday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Friday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Crews will make every effort to minimize disturbance and will restore any disturbed areas with basic loaming and seeding or patching.

While there may be an increased presence of utility trucks, the overall impact should be minimal.  You do not need to be home during this time and crews will not need access to your home.  Property access will be maintained although it  may be limited at times.  

Properties built prior to 1940 

If your water service material is currently unknown and your property was built prior to 1940, Concord Water Staff will conduct additional outreach prior to vacuum excavation.   This will ensure we are prepared to assist with replacing any lead water service line  identified  as part of the Town’s Lead Water Service Replacement Program.   Please note that Concord has no record of lead water service lines being installed after the early 1930’s, so we do not expect to find lead water service lines in properties built after 1940.

Properties built between 1940 and 1986

Although Concord has no record of lead water service lines being installed after the early 1930’s, there is also no record of a local lead water service moratorium (or ban) prior to the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments in 1986.  As such, Concord is required to send a notice to customers with water service lines of unknown material, which explains the health effects of lead exposure and steps customers can take to protect themselves.