Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program
Replacement of the lead pipe that delivers water to your home is the best way to reduce exposure to lead from drinking water. This means you should replace both the privately-owned section of the pipe (the pipe that runs from the property line to the meter or into the home) and the City-owned portion (the pipe that runs from the watermain to the property line). You can do this through the City's Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program. View the pipe (water service) diagram.
Starting in 2011, the City will target 1,500 priority lead water service replacements each year. Priority replacements are where the property owner replaces the privately-owned section of the lead service at the same time or before the City. In these cases, the City will replace its portion in up to 12 weeks, weather permitting and based on available funding. A letter will be issued to property owners to notify them of the timing for the replacement and name of the contractor performing the work on behalf of the City.
If you want to replace the private portion of the lead pipe:
- You may hire your own contractor to perform the private-side replacement, or consult with the City's contractor and arrange to have both portions of the pipe replaced at the same time. The costs for replacing your portion of the pipe are your responsibility. We encourage you to obtain several independent quotes for this work before choosing a contractor.
- Complete and mail in the application form.
If you have already replaced the private portion of the pipe:
- Complete the application form; and
- Attach to the application form proof of the private pipe work being completed — an invoice from the contractor, or a licensed plumber, or home inspector's report verifying the private side of the water pipe is not lead.
Once the City has received this information scheduled replacement of the public portion of the lead water pipe will take place in up to 12 weeks of approving the application.
