As of October 14, 2025, the Village of Brewster is still reviewing the status of the pipes servicing Village residences. If your meter was changed by Dennis Palmer Plumber, the Village of Brewster has your connection material, and you may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request your connection material. If you do not have a new meter, the Village will not know your status.

Some frequently asked questions regarding the notice that was sent out, dated November 3, 2025:

1.  The Village does not recommend that the homeowner run the water to dilute any lead that could be in the water, as running the water will raise your water bill. Please contact a licensed plumber to determine what your line is made of if you have not received a new meter.

2. While the Village could take a sample of the homeowner's water to be sent out for testing, the cost of testing the water will be at the expense of the homeowner. The Village recommends that the owner do their own testing to avoid additional fees.

3. The Village of Brewster will not pay for the replacement of lines after the connection to the water main. Any connection to the water main to the property's meter is maintained and paid for by the property owner and is the sole responsibility of that property owner.

4. Below is the notices that went out to property owners, with the active links for each letter.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

YOUR DRINKING WATER SERVICE LINE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS LEAD

The Village of Brewster has identified that a part of or the entire length of the service line that delivers drinking water to your house/building is made of lead.

What is a Lead Service Line?

A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building inlet.  When any section of the service line is made of lead, it is a lead service line.

What Does It Mean?

Having a lead service line doesn’t necessarily mean your drinking water contains an elevated level of lead. However, a lead service line has been identified as a source of lead and may contribute to lead in drinking water. This can happen when the characteristics of water (for example, low pH) increase the corrosion of lead pipes. Removing the lead service line is a sure way to reduce your chance of exposure to lead in drinking water.

Source of Lead in Drinking Water

Lead enters drinking water from a lead service line and indoor plumbing materials such as lead solder on copper pipes and chrome-plated brass or brass fixtures and faucets.

Health Effects of Lead

*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.*

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water

• Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
• Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
• Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at (845) 279-3760 for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
• Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. To find out about what we are doing to replace lead service lines, please contact us at (845) 279-3760 or visit our website at www.brewstervillage-ny.org
• Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
• Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
• Have your water tested. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in their Blood

• A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State, city, or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends public health actions when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more. For more information and links to CDC’s website, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.

Opportunities to Replace Your Lead Service Line

• We are required to replace the portion of a lead service line we own when property owners notify us that they are replacing their portion of the lead service line. Please contact us at (845) 279-3760 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before replacing your lead service line.

• We are also responsible for maintaining an inventory of all service lines, so keep us updated if your service line changes.
• If you have any questions about your service line, call us at (845) 279-3760, Email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at brewstervillage-ny.org.

• For more information on lead in drinking water, contact your local health department.

• This notice is brought to you by Village of Brewster
• State Water System ID# 3903639
• Date: November 3, 2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

YOUR DRINKING WATER SERVICE LINE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS GALVANIZED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT

The Village of Brewster has identified a part of your service line is made of galvanized steel that needs replacement.

What is a Galvanized Service Line Requiring Replacement (GSLRR)?

A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building inlet. A GSLRR is a service line that is made of galvanized steel and:

• was downstream of a lead service line, or
• was downstream of an unknown material, or
• is downstream of an unknown material.

What Does It Mean?

Either we replaced the lead service line, or we don’t know if there is or was a lead service line upstream of your galvanized service line. A galvanized service line is a potential source of lead as it can absorb lead from a lead service line and release it to drinking water later.

Source of Lead in Drinking Water

Lead enters drinking water from a lead service line and indoor plumbing materials such as lead solder on copper pipes and chrome-plated brass or brass fixtures and faucets.

Health Effects of Lead

*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.*

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water

• Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
• Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
• The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at (845) 279-3760 for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
• Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. To find out about what we are doing to replace lead service lines, please contact us at (845) 279-3760.
• Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
• Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line.
• Have your water tested. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in their Blood

A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State, city, or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends public health actions when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more. For more information and links to CDC’s website, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.

Opportunities to Verify Your Service Line Material

We are also responsible for maintaining an inventory of all service lines, so keep us updated if your service line changes. 

If you have any questions about your service line, contact us at (845) 279-3760, or visit our website at www.brewstervillage-ny.gov.

For more information on lead in drinking water, contact your local health department.

This notice is brought to you by Village of Brewster

State Water System ID# 3903639

Date: November 3, 2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

YOUR DRINKING WATER SERVICE LINE LEAD STATUS IS UNKNOWN

The Village of Brewster has not yet identified what your service line is made of. All or a part of your service line may be made of lead.

 What is a Lead Status Unknown Service Line?

A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building inlet.  When any section of the service line material is unknown, we need to categorize it as a lead status unknown service line.

What Does It Mean?

We don’t know what your service line or portion of it is made of. Until we can confirm that the entire length of your service line is not made of lead, we will continue to provide information about lead in drinking water once a year, so you can take precautionary measures to minimize your potential exposure to lead in drinking water.

Source of Lead in Drinking Water

Lead enters drinking water from a lead service line and indoor plumbing materials such as lead solder on copper pipes and chrome-plated brass or brass fixtures and faucets.

Health Effects of Lead

*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.*

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water

• Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
• Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
• Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at (845) 279-3760 for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
• Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials.
• Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
• Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line.
• Have your water tested. Contact us at (845) 279-3760 to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in their Blood

Although there is no confirmation of having a lead service line, you may wish to speak with a healthcare provider to see if your child’s blood lead level is elevated and/or if there is a need for blood testing, if you are concerned about potential exposure. For more information on these actions, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/advisory/acclpp/actions-blls.htm.

Opportunities to Verify Your Service Line Material

We are also responsible for maintaining an inventory of all service lines, so keep us updated if your service line changes. 

If you have any questions about your service line, call us at (845) 279-3760 or visit our website at www.brestervillage-ny.gov.

For more information on lead in drinking water, contact your local health department.

This notice is brought to you by Village of Brewster

State Water System ID# 3903639

Date: November 3, 2025

As of August 11, 2025, Dennis Palmer Plumbing has begun the water meter installation project to replace the current water meters with smart meters. During this process, the installers will determine the type of connection that is coming from the water main to the water meter. If this connection is lead, the property owner will be notified. If your connection is not lead, you will not be notified. 

Beginning October 16, 2024, all community and non-transient non-community water systems were required to inform theiBULK_GUIDELINES_9-22-2025.docxr consumers at the service connection where the status of the service line is either lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or lead status unknown service lines (40 CFR 141.85(e)). The Village is in the process of preparing bid documents to install new potable water meters in each village parcel in the upcoming months. During that installation, the installer will determine the material of the service line entering the building and notify each property owner. The service line material information will also be shared with the local and state health agencies. Thank you for your patience as the Village works to collect information on the status of potable water service lines.

At this time the Village does not have test kits to give out but property owners may have their water and pipes tested by a certified lab. The Village is expecting to have a plumber inspect line in all Village homes during the meter replacement project scheduled for Summer 2025.

The Village of Brewster has not yet identified what your service line is made of. All or a part of your service line may be made of lead.

 What is a Lead Status Unknown Service Line?

A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building inlet. A typical configuration of a service line is shown here. When any section of the service line material is unknown, we need to categorize it as a lead status unknown service line.

What Does It Mean?

We don’t know what your service line or portion of it is made of. Until we can confirm that the entire length of your service line is not made of lead, we will continue to provide information about lead in drinking water once a year, so you can take precautionary measures to minimize your potential exposure to lead in drinking water.

Source of Lead in Drinking Water

Lead enters drinking water from a lead service line and indoor plumbing materials such as lead solder on copper pipes and chrome-plated brass or brass fixtures and faucets.

Health Effects of Lead

*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have an increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.*

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water

• Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
• Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead
• Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at 845-279-3760 for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
• Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at 845-279-3760 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. To find out about what we are doing to replace lead service lines, please visit www.brewstervillage-ny.gov or contact us at 845-279-3760 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step-by-step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
• Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at 845-279-3760 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
• Have your water tested. Contact us at 845-279-3760 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in their Blood

Although there is no confirmation of having a lead service line, you may wish to speak with a healthcare provider to see if your child’s blood lead level is elevated and/or if there is a need for blood testing, if you are concerned about potential exposure. For more information on these actions, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/advisory/acclpp/actions-blls.htm.

Opportunities to Verify Your Service Line Material

We are also responsible for maintaining an inventory of all service lines, so keep us updated if your service line changes. 

If you have any questions about your service line, call us at 845-279-3760

This notice is brought to you by Village of Brewster
State Water System ID# 3903639
Date: November 14, 2024