Lead Service Line Replacement Program

1. Overview

Lead Service Line Replacement Program

The Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program proactively removes public and private water service lines made of lead and galvanized steel. Galvanized water service lines can absorb lead particles. Replacement will prioritize historically underserved communities and take into account other city construction projects. 

This program ensures DPU is proactively preventing potential lead exposure to our current and future customers by removing lead service lines from our distribution system. 

What you need to know:

Is there lead in Columbus' water? No lead is detected in the water leaving Columbus' water treatment plants. Through our partnership with Columbus Public Health, we can confidently say the main source of lead exposure in Columbus is not tap water, it's lead paint.

  • City-wide replacement will start in 2025.
  • There is no direct cost to customers for replacement, as long as funding remains. 
  • Only lead and galvanized water service lines will be replaced.
  • Columbus effectively treats drinking water to prevent lead from entering water through plumbing materials. 
  • Drinking water is not the main source of lead exposure in Columbus-paint is. The city has multiple programs currently addressing lead paint. 
  • The city has been removing lead water service lines since 1996 during maintenance and emergency repairs. 
  • Columbus has not allowed the installation of lead and galvanized water service lines since December, 1963. 

 

Top 10 Questions about Columbus' replacement program

What is a water service line?

Your water service line is the pipe that connects a home or business to the public water main. The water service line is divided into two sections; a city-owned part and a customer-owned part. These parts can be made of different materials. You can see the materials of the city and customer portions in our inventory. Click to view the city inventory of service line materials.

How much will replacement cost?

Columbus intends to cover the cost of a one-time replacement of eligible water service lines as long as funding remains. Replacement cost ranges from $6,000-$10,000 per property. New water service lines add value to your home. 

What will be replaced? 

Public and private side lead and galvanized water service lines will be replaced. Lead-free copper will replace lead and galvanized lines. The Department of Public Utilities can not replace any lead hazards in the home, however, the Department of Development or Columbus Public Health may be able to assist you with other lead sources in your home. 

Click to learn more about the Department of Development's lead programs.

Click to learn more about Columbus Public Health's lead programs.

How will my water service line be replaced? 

There are two replacement techniques designed to minimize digging and disruption to surrounding property; directional boring and pull-through techniques. In areas where the current line has interference, such as a tree, it may be possible to move around the object with directional boring. Water service lines will be installed without digging large trenches unless the contractor determines trenchless methods are not possible. Click to see examples of replacement techniques. 

What is a galvanized water service line and why does it need replaced? 

Galvanized water service lines are usually steel pipes coated with zinc to protect it from rust and corrosion. If downstream from a lead water service line, galvanized lines may absorb lead particles. These may be referred to as "galvanized requiring replacement lines." Old galvanized lines are prone to leaks. Replacing galvanized lines may conserve water and improve water pressure. Columbus will be replacing all galvanized water service lines. 

I got a notice on my water bill that I have a lead or galvanized line. What does that mean and what will the city do about it? 

If you received a notice that you have a water service line made of lead or galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), then our records indicate that some portion of the line (the city-owned side, the customer-owned side, or both) contains lead or galvanized material. 

The existence of a lead or galvanized service line does not necessarily mean that lead is present in your drinking water. The City of Columbus’ current treatment practices significantly reduce the possibility of exposure to lead.

The Department of Public Utilities tests the water for lead. View the latest testing results by clicking to view the 2023 water quality report.(PDF, 3MB)  

Starting with a limited number of participants in late 2024, the city will begin the proactive replacement of lead and galvanized lines. Beginning in early to mid-2025, the Department of Public Utilities will broaden the project area and begin to schedule city-wide replacement. 

Please visit "Understanding Lead and Water" about best practices you can follow if you have a lead or galvanized line.

What material will you replace the lines with?

Lead and galvanized lines will be replaced with lead-free copper.

What if I live outside the City of Columbus?

Every public water system in the United States that has at least one lead water service line is required to replace them. The Columbus Department of Public Utilities is working on replacement solutions for our customers living outside Columbus. If you currently live outside Columbus City limits, your local municipality will notify you when you are eligible for replacement.

View this map of Columbus' boundaries to find which municipality you live in.

Will the city replace damages to my property as a result of construction?

Yes. If it is determined the damage was done by the construction crew, they will be responsible for repairing the damage. Repairs will be restored to the condition before replacement. Inspectors will document property conditions before and after replacement. 

Will my water be shut off during replacement?

Yes, water will be shut off during the replacement process. Please prepare for water loss of 6-8 hours. The city will notify all customers before water is shut off. Other utilities, such as electricity, will remain on. 

Website Creative_Where are lead lines.png Does my home or building have a lead or galvanized water service line?

If your property is within the City of Columbus and your water service line was installed after 1964, then you likely do not have a lead or galvanized water service line. A galvanized line is made of steel. If a galvanized water line is downstream of a lead line, it may have absorbed lead particles and must be replaced.

Search your address in our service line inventory to check the material of public and private side water service lines.

Is your line "unknown?" Take a picture of your water service line and share it with the Department of Public Utilities through a quick online submission form here. Please take a picture with good lighting of the very first piece of material coming out of your wall or floor. Where to Test Pipe for Survey.png

Report your water service line material.

For questions or assistance submitting your service line material,

For questions or assistance submitting your service line material, contact Lead Safe Columbus for assistance verifying your service line material

Have you already replaced your water service line?

Notify the Department of Public Utilities if you have recently replaced your water service line. Either submit the new material through the online service line material form, above, or share it with waterquality@columbus.gov. 

 

2. First step: Pilot Project 

The first phase of replacement, the Pilot Project, is in partnership with the Columbus Department of Development. The Pilot Project is only open to the existing participants in Department of Development's Lead Safe Columbus, Healthy Homes, and Critical Repair programs. About 100-150 homes are expected to be eligible for replacement through the Pilot Project. The city is not looking for volunteers for the pilot program at this time. The Pilot Project will be completed by the end of 2025. 

During the Pilot Project, water meters may be moved outside into a ford box and replaced with enhanced meters. The relocation of the water meter gives city-approved workers easier access. Workers will no longer need to enter your home when meters need replaced or maintenance. Click to learn more about the Enhanced Meter Project.

3. Schedule and location

When is replacement?

The City will begin replacement with the Pilot Project in late 2024. About 100-150 replacements are expected during the Pilot Project. This phase of replacement will be completed by the end of 2025. 

In early 2025 the City will schedule larger replacement projects across the city. More information on scheduled replacement projects will be shared once available.

How will the City schedule areas for replacement?

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Replacement will take place in an equal manner that takes into account historically underserved communities. Other prioritization factors include:

  • Service line material: areas with a high quantity of lead and galvanized lines
  • Disadvantaged community status defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening tool
  • Children under 10
  • Blood lead levels 
  • Capital improvement projects and economic efficiencies

The city has created four replacement pathways:

  1. Infrastructure Maintenance Pathway: Replaces all service lines on a city street undergoing construction for a water main or sewer line replacement. This is a current program.
  2. Emergency Repair Replacement Pathway: When conducting emergency repairs on the public side, private side lead and galvanized service lines will also be replaced. This is a current program.
  3. Street-by-Street Pathway: The scheduled, proactive replacement of all lead and galvanized service lines on a designated city street. This program will incorporate the prioritization factors mentioned above.
  4. Schools and Daycares Pathway: Prioritizes the replacement of lead and galvanized service lines to licensed schools and daycares. This is a previous program that will be revived. 

 

View the City's inventory of public and private water service line materials here.

4. Eliminating other sources of lead: Lead-Safe Columbus

Lead-Safe Columbus is a collaborative effort between three City of Columbus departments to eliminate sources of lead and increase blood lead testing; Department of Development, Columbus Public Health, and Department of Public Utilities. The City of Columbus has the goal of all Columbus children being lead-free by 2040. These three departments are working together to make progress towards that goal. 

Why is this important? The three departments working together allows us to identify and eliminate the main source of lead during lead poisoning investigations. Through this partnership, we can confidently say the main source of lead in Columbus is not water, but lead-based paint and its resulting lead dust. Lead paint is the largest source of lead in Ohio. Learn more about lead paint and how to test your children's blood lead levels at Columbus Public Health.

Columbus Public Health

Healthy Children and Safe Homes by 2040: A bold, collaborative intervention to prevent all children in Columbus from being lead poisoned by the year 2040. The health equity project will include multiple partners and stakeholders who will increase outreach and education, screening and testing, workforce development, and repairs and remediation. Learn more about the Healthy Children and Safes Homes by 2040 project at Columbus Public Health.

Department of Development

Critical Home Repair Program: Assists individuals and families to remain in the homes and live independently in a safe and sound environment. Correcting lead paint hazards is one of many repairs that can be done through this program. Learn more about eligible repairs in the Critical Home Repair Program at the Department of Development.

Healthy Homes: Protects the most vulnerable families in the community from housing-related hazards by preserving affordable housing, improving conditions, and improving neighborhoods in the city. The program will holistically address a variety of high-priority housing-based health and safety hazards, including lead hazard control. Learn more about eligible repairs in the Healthy Homes program at the Department of Development.

Lead Safe Columbus Grant Program: Creates lead-safe and healthy affordable housing to prevent the lead poisoning of children and adults in Columbus neighborhoods. Learn more about the Lead Safe Grant Program at the Department of Development.

Department of Public Utilities

The Department of Public Utilities will remove lead and lead-contaminated water service lines to proactively prevent lead from entering drinking water. During lead water service line replacement, the Department of Public Utilities will work with the two other city departments to give residents information or resources to help deal with other sources of lead.

5. Lead Service Line Replacement Ordinance

The Lead Service Line Removal (LSLR) Ordinance declares all lead water service lines a public nuisance. It allows the City of Columbus to comply with U.S. EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) and grants Department of Public Utilities the authority to remove lead service lines on private property and fund the replacement program. The ordinance established the Lead Service Line Removal Program.

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View the LSLR Ordinance one-pager.(PDF, 5MB)  

6. How can lead enter water?

When water sits in lead or lead-contaminated pipes for 6 or more hours, it's possible for lead to enter the water. Columbus takes effective measures to prevent this from happening byNO LOWER THIRD_BIGGER_Potential sources of lead house-100.jpg treating the water to make it less corrosive. Our corrosion control process is a way to keep pipes from rusting or breaking down and possibly mixing metals into the water we drink. This process is so effective that during the last testing period, more than 90% of homes tested were below 1.3 parts per billion of lead in water. 

Lead can enter water from other plumbing parts, not just water service lines:

  • Kitchen and bathroom faucets, especially older ones and those with brass components
  • Shower heads made with brass
  • Lead solder connecting water pipes

Visit Understanding Lead and Water for more information on lead..

View a larger version of the "potential sources of lead in drinking water" graphic.(PDF, 363KB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn about lead

Understanding Lead and Water

Lead FAQs

Lead Paint

Do I have a Lead Service Line?

Search your address in the city-wide service line material inventory

View the inventory here. 

Is the side of your water service line unknown? Share your service line material here

Related Information

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