Once your lead service line replacement has been scheduled by Halifax Water, here's what to expect before, during, and after your replacement.
Before your Replacement
- Once a contractor has been hired, Halifax Water will contact you with general information on your upcoming lead service line replacement.
- We will send you a consent form granting Halifax Water permission to replace the private portion of your lead service line.
- Once the consent form has been signed and returned to Halifax Water, the following activities will take place:
- You will receive a Get the Lead Out construction package that will contain:
- Details on what to expect after your lead service line has been replaced.
- A drinking water filter pitcher designed to remove lead. This is to reduce potential exposure to elevated lead concentrations in your drinking water after replacement.
- Six replacement pitcher filter cartridges.
- You will be given the opportunity to collect water samples that will be tested for lead. This will let you see the decrease in lead concentrations in your drinking water after the lead service line replacement.
- The hired contractor will contact you to discuss the replacement process, what will be done to restore your property and to schedule a date for the work to take place.
- Please note: Through the Get the Lead Out program, Halifax Water can only fund up to $10,000 per replacement, including reinstatement work. Most replacements are expected to be under $10,000, but there are situations with long service lines, retaining walls, or other complicating factors that may be over $10,000. In these situations, the contractor and the property owner would need to determine the total cost and arrange payment of the portion over $10,000 or agree on a less expensive restoration plan to stay within budget.
During your Replacement
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Excavation work for a lead service line replacement in Halifax. Your water will be shut off on the day of the replacement.
- The contractor will access your lead service line by digging down to it and in many cases, a trench will go from the property line to your building.
- The contractor will need to enter your property to access the service line at the water meter to disconnect your lead service line and to connect your new copper service line. You need to be on-site to let the contractor into your property to complete these tasks.
- The contractor will replace your lead service line with a copper service line.
- Halifax Water staff will inspect the replacement to ensure it meets specifications.
- The contractor will test the service connection and turn the water back on.
- The contractor will bury the new service line and fill the hole(s)/trench.
- The contractor will flush your newly installed service line at a location near your water meter (e.g. outside hose spout).
- The contractor will let you know when your lead service line replacement is complete. At this time, you should start:
- Flushing all the taps at your property. (Instructions are included in your Get the Lead Out construction package.)
- Using the pitcher filter to remove any lead from your drinking water to protect any occupants of the property from elevated lead concentrations immediately following construction.
After your Replacement
- You need to follow the post-replacement flushing instructions and continue using your pitcher filter to reduce the potential of being exposed to elevated lead concentrations post-replacement.
- You will be given the opportunity to collect water samples that will be tested for lead. This will let you see the lead concentrations in your drinking water after the lead service line replacement.
- The contractor will complete property restoration activities. Please note: full property restoration may take several months.
- You will sign-off on the work completed with the contractor.
