Lead service line replacement grants, utility by utility
Find out whether your water utility will replace your lead pipe for free, pay part of the cost, or lend you the money, and what your state's law says. 225 programs confirmed with official sources; 432 utilities covered.
Programs that pay for your side
Chicago, IL
Free if eligible Free for income-qualified homeowners
Cleveland, OH
Free when scheduled Free when the city works on your line
New York City, NY
Free if eligible Free for invited homeowners
Detroit, MI
Free when scheduled Free, block by block
Milwaukee, WI
Cost share Owner pays the lesser of actual or average cost
Indianapolis, IN
Free when scheduled Free in scheduled neighborhoods
Minneapolis, MN
Free Free, city-scheduled
Cincinnati, OH
Free Free
Buffalo, NY
Free if eligible Help for low-income households (ROLL)
Columbus, OH
Free Free
South Bend, IN
Utility program State-funded zone projects
Providence, RI
Free Free while funding lasts
How it works
1. Check your line
Look up your address on your utility's inventory map, or do the scratch and magnet test where the pipe enters your home.
2. Find your program
Search your city above. Each page shows whether replacement is free, the cost share, deadlines, and how to sign up, with the official link.
3. Replace it
Sign up with the utility, or if you're not covered or can't wait, compare quotes from licensed plumbers and use the calculator.
Browse by state
IllinoisMichiganOhioNew YorkWisconsinNew JerseyPennsylvaniaIndianaMinnesotaIowaMissouriMassachusettsAll states →
What would you pay?
Many utility loans are 0% (enter 0). Private loans run higher. Your real price depends on how far the house sits from the street, digging versus trenchless methods, permits and restoration. This is an estimate, not a quote.
Guides
How to tell if you have a lead service line
Check your water service line in five minutes with a key and a magnet, then confirm it with your utility's inventory map.
Galvanized vs. lead service lines: which ones must be replaced?
What "galvanized requiring replacement" means, how to tell galvanized from lead, and why utilities replace both.
How much does lead service line replacement cost?
Real private-side costs reported by utilities, from about $3,500 to $11,000+, what drives the price, and how much programs cover.
Got a lead service line letter from your water utility? Here's what it means
Why utilities are mailing lead, galvanized and unknown line notices, what each status means, and five things to do next.
The federal lead pipe rule (LCRI): what changes and when
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements in plain English: the 10-year replacement deadline, the 10 ppb action level, notices and what it means for owners.
Can't afford to replace your lead pipe? 9 ways to pay for it
Free programs, cost shares, 0% utility loans, USDA repair grants, tax assessments and other ways to pay for a lead service line.
Is lead service line replacement mandatory for homeowners?
The federal rule binds utilities, not owners, but some states and cities do require owners to replace lead lines. Here's where.
How long does lead service line replacement take?
What replacement day looks like, how long the water is off, restoration, and how long to flush and filter afterward.
Who owns the water service line, and who has to pay to replace it?
Where the utility's responsibility ends and yours begins, why it matters for lead pipes, and the cities where the owner owns the whole line.
Selling or buying a house with a lead service line
Disclosure, inspections, ordinances that trigger replacement on sale, and how lead lines affect price and closing.
Common questions
Who pays to replace a lead service line?
Usually the utility pays for the public side and the property owner is responsible for the private side, from the curb or property line into the house. But many utilities now replace the private side for free or share the cost, using federal infrastructure money, and Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota and Rhode Island push the cost onto utilities by law.
How much does it cost to replace a lead water service line?
Most private-side replacements cost $4,000 to $10,000. Long lines, deep digging, basement work and city permit fees can push it higher; in Chicago, one-off replacements have averaged far more. Our calculator shows what you'd pay after a program's share.
Is lead service line replacement mandatory?
Federal rules require utilities, not homeowners, to replace lead lines by 2037. Some states and cities go further: Illinois and New Jersey require full replacement, and cities such as Appleton, Wisconsin, require owners to replace within a year of notice.
I got a letter saying I have a lead or unknown service line. What now?
Don't panic and don't sign up with the first contractor who calls. Check your utility's program on this site, ask whether your street is scheduled, use a certified filter for drinking water in the meantime, and see our guide to what the notice letter means.