Pennsylvania Lead Service Line Replacement Programs
Pennsylvania water systems reported 65,279 lead and 48,432 galvanized service lines that must be replaced (EPA, Q3 2026). Below: the state rule on who pays, and every Pennsylvania utility with at least 1,000 such lines or a confirmed program.
Act 120 of 2018 (66 Pa.C.S. § 1311(b)) and 52 Pa. Code Chapter 65
Pennsylvania's Act 120 lets PUC-regulated water utilities replace customer-owned lead service lines and recover the cost through rates, and it prohibits partial replacement. The PUC's 2022 rules require utilities to file replacement programs; Aqua Pennsylvania's was approved in April 2025 for up to 1,500 customer lines a year. City systems such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh set their own terms.
Mandatory? No owner mandate statewide; utilities must replace full lines and partial replacement is prohibited.
Funding: PENNVEST loans and grants; utility rate recovery approved by the PUC.
Sources: puc.pa.gov, puc.pa.gov
| Utility | Lead | Galv. | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Philadelphia Water Department | 16,805 | 1,777 | Free if eligible |
| Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth | 16,165 | 2,250 | Free if eligible |
| Allentown Lca Allentown Division | 4,552 | 5,839 | Free if eligible |
| Altoona Altoona Water Authority | 0 | 6,598 | Program pending |
| Pittsburgh suburbs (PA American Water) PA Amer Water Co-Pittsburgh | 4,290 | 1,780 | Free when scheduled |
| Montgomery County (Aqua PA) Aqua PA Main System | 55 | 4,595 | Free when scheduled |
| Johnstown Greater Johnstown WA Riverside | 4,345 | 33 | Free when scheduled |
| Wilkinsburg & Penn Hills Wilkinsburg-Penn JT Water Auth | 3,704 | 134 | Utility program |
| Westmoreland County (MAWC) Mawc Sweeney Plant | 2,408 | 272 | Free if eligible |
| Oil City Oil City | 2,388 | 87 | Not confirmed |
| Cumberland County (PA American Water) PA American Water Co West | 39 | 1,712 | Free when scheduled |
| Williamsport Williamsport Mun Water Auth | 1,690 | 5 | Not confirmed |
| McKeesport West Cnty Muni Auth-McKeesport | 1,450 | 65 | Not confirmed |
| Northampton Northampton Boro Muni Auth | 0 | 1,510 | Not confirmed |
| New Castle (PA American Water) PA Amer Water Co New Castle | 988 | 342 | Free when scheduled |
| Erie Erie City Water Authority | 0 | 1,312 | Free |
| Ambridge Ambridge Water Auth | 1,138 | 0 | Not confirmed |
| Bradford County (Aqua PA) Aqua PA Susquehanna Division | 2 | 1,112 | Free when scheduled |
| Shenango Valley (Aqua PA) Aqua PA Shenango Valley WTP | 6 | 1,065 | Free when scheduled |
| Lake Scranton (PA American Water) PA Amer Water Co Lake Scranton | 271 | 657 | Free when scheduled |
| Norristown (PA American Water) PA American Norristown | 43 | 374 | Free when scheduled |
| Harrisburg area (PA American Water) PA Amer Water Co | 11 | 402 | Free when scheduled |
| Warren (PA American Water) PA American Water Co Warren | 20 | 361 | Free when scheduled |
| Butler (PA American Water) PA American Water Co Butler | 79 | 293 | Free when scheduled |
| Greenville (Aqua PA) Aqua PA Greenville | 70 | 265 | Free when scheduled |
| Coatesville (PA American Water) PA American Coatesville | 63 | 219 | Free when scheduled |
| Roaring Creek (Aqua PA) Aqua PA Roaring Creek Division | 0 | 256 | Free when scheduled |
| Hatboro (Aqua PA) Aqua PA Hatboro | 0 | 247 | Free when scheduled |
| Yardley (PA American Water) PA American Water Co Yardley | 10 | 235 | Free when scheduled |
| White Deer (PA American Water) PA American White Deer | 2 | 207 | Free when scheduled |
Compare: lead lines in every state · cities with the most lead pipes · free programs in Pennsylvania
Common questions
Who pays to replace lead service lines in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's Act 120 lets PUC-regulated water utilities replace customer-owned lead service lines and recover the cost through rates, and it prohibits partial replacement. The PUC's 2022 rules require utilities to file replacement programs; Aqua Pennsylvania's was approved in April 2025 for up to 1,500 customer lines a year. City systems such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh set their own terms.
Is lead service line replacement mandatory in Pennsylvania?
No owner mandate statewide; utilities must replace full lines and partial replacement is prohibited.
How many lead service lines are in Pennsylvania?
Water systems in Pennsylvania reported 65,279 lead service lines, 48,432 galvanized lines that need replacement and 1,975,389 lines of unknown material to EPA (Q3 2026), across 458 reporting systems.
Where can I get help paying in Pennsylvania?
Start with your water utility's program; the table on this page shows what we've confirmed. State money flows through: PENNVEST loans and grants; utility rate recovery approved by the PUC. If your utility has no program, see our guide to paying for replacement.