Elevated lead levels have been found in drinking water in homes and businesses within Providence Water’s service area, the utility announced Monday.

Specifics were not provided regarding how many locations may be affected by the lead issue, but Providence Water has provided an interactive map to allow customers to identify whether their service line is made of lead. That tool can be accessed through provwater.com/lead.

Water that leaves Providence Water’s Scituate treatment plant does not contain lead, but many properties are served by older lead lines – particularly those installed before 1940. The utility says approximately 11,000 of its 77,000 customers are connected through lead lines. Its service area includes Cranston and Johnston.

In addition to the online locator tool, Providence Water advises that customers can check their service pipe in two other ways. In the first, customers can locate the pipe at the meter and scratch it with a coin. If it is a dull gray color, it is a lead line. Additionally, customers can check with a magnet, which will not stick to a lead pipe.

“You can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your cold water tap until it gets noticeably colder and then for an additional minute (usually 3-5 minutes total) whenever your water has not been used for several hours,” a Facebook post from the utility reads. “This will rid your home’s plumbing of water that may have been sitting in contact with lead-based pipes, solder or brass in your home.”

In terms of the health risks from lead, Providence Water’s Monday statement reads: “Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.”

Providence Water’s lead service hotline can be reached at 521-6303. The utility offers free lead testing kits and interest-free loans for lead service line replacement.