Hampden County · Springfield metro
Plumbing help in Springfield, MA
Older PipesLead Lines
Springfield removed its known lead service lines years ahead of most cities, and draws water from the Cobble Mountain Reservoir. With about 80% of homes built before 1980, frozen pipes and aging plumbing are the common calls.
- Median home built
- 1955
- Built before 1980
- 80%
- Owner-occupied
- 54%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Regular hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- Local
Common repairs in Springfield homes
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Cold winters freeze pipes in older homes' exterior walls and porches.
- Repiping
Older homes may have galvanized interior pipe.
- Drain Cleaning
Multi-family homes share aging cast iron drains.
What's behind the walls of Springfield's older homes
The median home in Springfield was built in 1955, and 80% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or galvanized supply, cast iron drains, clay or cast iron sewer laterals.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Emergency plumbing in Springfield
Call (833) 878-1592Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Springfield homes, based on local conditions.
Frozen pipe risk in Springfield
Regular hard freezes · 80% of Springfield homes were built before 1980
Where Springfield's water comes from
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission began removing lead service lines in 1992, removed all known lead lines in Springfield and Ludlow by November 2005, and has since removed more than 650 galvanized service lines. [1]
Springfield's main water supply is the Cobble Mountain and Borden Brook reservoirs, treated at the West Parish Filters plant in Westfield. [2]
Plumbing services for Springfield homes
Springfield plumbing questions
Does Springfield still have lead service lines?
The Commission removed all known lead lines in Springfield and Ludlow by 2005 and has an online inventory map of service lines.
Where does Springfield's water come from?
The Cobble Mountain and Borden Brook reservoirs, treated at the West Parish Filters plant.
How do I check a Springfield plumber?
Verify the license with the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
How do I prevent frozen pipes in Springfield?
Insulate exterior-wall and porch pipes, seal drafts and keep the heat on.
Which plumbing code applies in Springfield?
The Massachusetts Uniform State Plumbing Code, 248 CMR 10.00.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, Lead and Drinking Water · checked 2026-10-01
- Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, System Description · checked 2026-10-01