Lead Service Line Replacement Next Steps for Residents

What is a lead service line?

A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the interior plumbing in a building. A lead service line is a service line made from lead or that has lead components. 

There are estimated to be 100,000 lead service lines in Minnesota.

How will I know if I have a lead service line?

Public water systems have until October 2024 to inventory lead service lines. If you have a lead service line, your water system will let you know. If you know, or think that you have a lead service line, please contact your community water system.

MDH in partnership with the University of Minnesota has developed an interactive map for lead service line replacement. As water systems complete their inventory of service lines, the map will be continually updated. You may put your address in the map search function to see the water line material for your home. The map tool will be updated periodically throughout the inventory and replacement process.

What do I do next?

The good news is that residents don't need to do anything. Your local water system is developing a plan to conduct an inventory of your area service lines. If you do have a lead service line you will be notified, and informed of the next steps in the replacement process. Water systems have until October 2024 to complete inventory of service lines. If you would like to know the timeline for your inventory, please contact your local community water system. They can give you specific information for your location regarding inventory timelines and procedures for replacement in your area. 

Residents do not need to apply for replacement. Community water systems are working behind the scenes to conduct the service line inventory and replacement process. Service line replacement by your water system will be done at no cost to the resident.

Residents who wish to independently replace the service lines to their home, and don't want to wait for replacement by their water system may do so at any time, at their own, non-reimbursable expense. If a resident chooses to replace their service line they will need to locate an independent contractor, and notify their water system of the replacement. The water system will then be responsible for replacing the public component of the service line within a timely manner after the resident replaces their line.

Who will pay for replacement if I have a lead service line?

Great news! Residents do not need to worry about funding. There will be no cost to the property owner to replace the privately owned portion of the lead service line, which is the line connecting your residence to public water.

Resident's do not need to take any action to pay for lead service line replacement. All funds will be disbursed directly to the water system and will be used to complete lead service line replacement. No money will be disbursed to residents and there is no cost to residents for lead service line replacement.

Prioritizing replacement

Minnesota is working hard on creating health equity. Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Achieving this requires focused and ongoing societal efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices; overcome economic, social, and other obstacles to health and healthcare; and eliminate preventable health disparities.

For replacement projects, priority should be given to:

• removing lead service lines that are an imminent threat to public health and safety.
• areas with children with elevated blood lead levels.
• areas with children under the age of five.
• lead service lines that provide drinking water to schools, licensed child-care facilities, or other properties known to be used by disproportionately large numbers of children areas with lower-income residents and other disadvantaged communities.
• replacing lead service lines in coordination with watermain replacement MDH is working on an online mapping tool to help public water systems identify health equity priority areas.