Columbus lead service line replacement
Short answer
Columbus replaces lead and galvanized service lines at no direct cost when its 12-year street-by-street program reaches you, but only if the owner has signed a work agreement. To replace sooner, LEAP offers a no-interest deferred lien loan of up to $10,000, repaid when the home is sold or refinanced.
- Official sources
- Last checked:
- Free, no sign-up
| Utility | Columbus Water & Power |
|---|---|
| Program | Lead Service Line Replacement Program + LEAP |
| Type | Free (scheduled) / no-interest lien loan |
| Phone | 614-645-6725 (Lead Safe Columbus) |
| Scale | 50,000–60,000 homes with a possible lead or galvanized line (City of Columbus) |
| Official page | www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbu... |
Who qualifies
- Scheduled replacement: owner must sign the work agreement
- LEAP: customers who receive a Columbus Water & Power bill; lead or galvanized lines only
- LEAP requires three contractor quotes; no reimbursement for work already done
How to apply
- Search your address on the city's service line map
- Sign the work agreement (property owner of record only)
- If your line is 'Unknown', submit the short photo survey
- For LEAP: get three quotes from certified, city-registered contractors and email [email protected]
- Do not start work until the three-party agreement and notice to proceed are issued
Good to know
City estimates replacement at $6,000–$10,000 per property. The LEAP lien must be repaid before any additional mortgage or lien.
Your next steps, in order
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1. Use the free or low-cost program first
Many utilities replace lines at no cost or offer no-interest loans.
Go to the official program2. 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)
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