Get your lead water pipe replaced for free or less
Find your city’s official replacement program, see if you may be eligible, and know exactly how to apply. Every fact links to an official source.
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We only list programs verified on official sources.
Short answer
EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require water systems to finish lead service line inventories by November 1, 2027, notify affected homes within 30 days and every year after, and replace most lead lines within 10 years. Many cities already replace lines free or with no-interest loans.
- Official sources
- Last checked:
- Free, no sign-up
Deadline set by EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements; the rule is being challenged in court (AWWA v. EPA).
Key federal dateNovember 1, 2027 Compliance date for EPA’s LCRI (inventories and notices). The rule is being challenged in court (AWWA v. EPA, D.C. Cir. No. 24-1376; argued Sept 30, 2026; no decision as of Oct 15, 2026), so this date could change.
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Start here
A 2-minute scratch and magnet test. Got a lead letter?
What it means and what to do next. What will it cost?
Free, loan or cost-share, by city. Renters & landlords
Who can sign, who pays. Take the 30-second quiz
Is my pipe likely lead? Printable checklist
For your lead letter. No email needed. The 2027 rule
Deadlines and the pending court case. All questions
Short, sourced answers.
Verified city programs
| City | Utility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Department of Water Management | Free (income-qualified) |
| New York City, New York | NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) | Free (eligible areas, by letter) |
| Detroit, Michigan | Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) | Free (neighborhood schedule) |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Milwaukee Water Works | Free (in program) / owner-paid option |
| Cleveland, Ohio | Cleveland Water | Free (planned project areas) |
| Columbus, Ohio | Columbus Water & Power | Free (scheduled) / no-interest lien loan |
| Denver, Colorado | Denver Water | Free (scheduled) + partial reimbursement |
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh Water | Free (neighborhood) + reimbursement |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) | Free (with participation) |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) | Zero-interest loan / free during main work |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | Citizens Energy Group | Free in project areas |
| Louisville, Kentucky | Louisville Water Company | Free |
| Washington, DC, District of Columbia | DC Water | Free (planned projects) / income-based discount |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) | Free |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | City of Minneapolis Public Works | Free (city program) |
| Omaha, Nebraska | Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) | Free |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) | Free (Right-of-Entry required) |
| Saint Paul, Minnesota | Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) | Free |
| Toledo, Ohio | City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities | Free |
| Buffalo, New York | Buffalo Water | Free (queue) |
| Newark, New Jersey | Newark Water and Sewer Utilities | Free (program largely complete) |
| Rochester, New York | City of Rochester Department of Environmental Services | Free (scheduled streets) |
| Austin, Texas | Austin Water | Free (or reimbursement) |
| El Paso, Texas | El Paso Water | Free (utility expense) |
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Lead Pipe Alerts: we email only when a real date or program changes for your city or state, plus one monthly roundup. No texts.
Your next steps, in order
Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Plumber quotes are a referral service that is free to you, paid by providers, and your details are shared with them. We always show free programs first. Read our full disclosure.
1. Use the free or low-cost program first
Many utilities replace lines at no cost or offer no-interest loans.
Find my city2. Test your water
Some cities test free (Chicago: call 311). Otherwise a certified-lab mail-in kit is an option.
Tap Score test kit (affiliate link, placeholder)3. While you wait, consider a certified filter
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.
NSF/ANSI 53 filters on Amazon (affiliate, placeholder)If the free program covers your line, you’re done. You don’t need step 4.
4. Not eligible or can’t wait? Compare plumbers
Before hiring, ask your utility whether you need pre-approval so you don’t lose program help.
Plumber quotes (referral, coming soon)
What officials and the news say
“If your property is eligible, this program can save you thousands of dollars!”
“Simply put: signing the work agreement helps you avoid paying for something the City may replace for free.”
“We need to remain committed to replacing them all, especially in disadvantaged communities where they are often located.”
Stories from the news
“They basically stop short of asking you for a DNA sample”
“There have been challenges gaining consent from property owners throughout the program.”
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