Lead service line guides
Plain-English answers for homeowners: identifying lead pipes, costs, the federal rule, and how to pay.
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.
Best water filters for lead
Certified NSF/ANSI 53 filters to use while you wait for replacement.
Lead water test kits
Free utility tests and lab kits, and how to sample correctly.
Water service line insurance
What line protection plans cover, and what they don't.