Lead pipe replacement cost in Wisconsin (2026)

How much does it cost to replace a lead service line in Wisconsin?

Most homeowners who pay for the private side of a lead service line spend about $4,000 to $10,000. In Wisconsin, 3 of the 33 utilities we track replace it for free (at least for eligible owners), 7 share the cost.

Free programs3

Cost shares7

Loans0

Lead + galv. lines159,084

What homeowners pay, by utility

Utility	Program	What the owner pays
Milwaukee	Utility pays part	Owner pays the lesser of actual or average cost
Racine	Free replacement	$0
Wauwatosa	Owner pays private side	Owner pays full cost
West Allis	Program not open yet	Not published
Oshkosh	Utility pays part	Utility pays 50% up to $2,700
Sheboygan	Utility pays part	Utility pays 50%
Superior	Free replacement	$0
Wausau	Free replacement	$0
Beloit	Replacing lines; ask about cost	Not published
Neenah	Replacing lines; ask about cost	Not published
Fond Du Lac	Utility pays part	City contribution; rest on a special assessment
Manitowoc	Utility pays part	Utility pays 50%
Kenosha	Utility pays part	Utility pays 50% up to $2,750
Menasha	Utility pays part	Required within 1 year; city pays most

Local cost figures

Milwaukee: Milwaukee's five-year average private-side cost is $3,454.
Manitowoc: MPU says a full water service replacement averages $6,000 to $8,000.

What drives the price in Wisconsin

Length of the line from the curb stop to the house, and whether the meter is inside.
Depth. Service lines in Wisconsin are buried below the frost line, often five feet or more, which means deeper pits and more digging than in warm states.
Trenchless or open trench. Pulling a new pipe through the old path from two small pits usually costs less to restore than a full trench.
Permits and the public side. Some cities charge permit and street-opening fees, and a few make the owner pay to cut the street.
Restoration of lawns, driveways, sidewalks and basement walls, which free programs often limit.

Wisconsin lets each utility decide. Under a 2017 law, utilities can offer grants or loans to owners for the private side with Public Service Commission approval. The DNR gives municipalities principal forgiveness (money that does not have to be repaid) for private-side work, and since July 2025 state law also allows forgiving loans for lead line projects. Homeowners cannot apply to the DNR directly; the money flows through the city. For fiscal year 2026, EPA allotted $94,312,000 to Wisconsin for lead service line replacement through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and at least $46,212,880 of it must go out as grants or forgivable loans. Compare every state.

What would you pay?

Contractor quote or estimate ($) Utility pays (%) Utility cap ($, blank = none) Finance the rest? Loan interest rate (%)

Utility covers—

You pay—

Monthly—

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.

Get lead line replacement quotes in Wisconsin

Compare prices from licensed local plumbers who replace water service lines. Useful if your utility's program doesn't cover you, has a long wait, or you need the work done sooner.

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Common questions

How much does it cost to replace a lead service line in Wisconsin?

Who pays for lead pipe replacement in Wisconsin?

Is lead service line replacement tax deductible or taxable?

Replacement paid for by a utility or government program is not taxable income (IRS Announcement 2024-10). Paying for it yourself is generally a home improvement, not a deductible expense; ask a tax professional about your case.