Lead Service Line Replacement Program

1. Overview

NEW! Now announcing the Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP) to help property owners replace their lead and galvanized water service lines. Learn more.

Lead Service Line Replacement Program

Like many cities across the U.S., some water service lines in Columbus are more than a century old. Due to our exceptional water treatment, these service lines have lasted beyond their expected life. Approximately 20% of City of Columbus water service lines need to be replaced because they may still contain lead components. Since 1996, Columbus has replaced all service lines with lead components as we've encountered them.

We now have a federal mandate to proactively replace private and public lead and galvanized lines by 2037. In 2025, Columbus will start going street by street to replace these older lines. The Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program proactively removes public and private water service lines made of lead and galvanized steel.

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.

Only lead and galvanized water service lines will be replaced.
Galvanized water service lines can absorb lead particles and have lasted well beyond their expected life (50-70 years).
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.
Residents will be notified when service line replacement is scheduled for their area.
A work agreement must be signed by the property owner to participate in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a water service line?

Your water service line is the pipe that connects your 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?

During scheduled replacement, 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.

Outside of scheduled replacement, home owners may use the Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP) to replace their lead or galvanized water service line proactively or if broken. LEAP is a no-interest construction loan with deferred repayment, secured as a mortgage against the property. The loan is paid when the property is sold, refinanced, or in one lump sum within 99 years.

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. We 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.

Learn more about eliminating other sources of lead

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?

LSLR Pipe Ownership_No Internal Premise Plumbing.png The Columbus Division of Water is required to send out a notice of water service line material every year. This is not a notice of any sort of water quality concern. The existence of a lead or galvanized service line does not mean that lead is present in your drinking water. The City of Columbus’ current treatment practices significantly reduce the possibility of exposure to lead.

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. Therefore, the material of the pipe you see coming into your home, may be different than the material on the notice you received.

To see the material of the public and privately owned portion of the water line, search your address in our inventory.

We test the water for lead. View the latest testing results in the 2023 water quality report.(PDF, 3MB)

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. We are 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 by tagging your door, email, or text. Other utilities, such as electricity, will remain on.

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 us 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.

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 us 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. Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP)

Columbus’ Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP) is a program that a property owner may use to replace a lead or galvanized service line, either proactively or when it is leaking. There is no upfront cost to the customer. Customers will pay for the work by establishing a lien on the property's mortgage.

This lien acts like a zero interest loan attached to the property. However, unlike a regular loan, there are no monthly payments, no interest, and no hard deadline (99 years). LEAP covers the cost of replacement now, and the homeowner pays back the replacement cost later. This money will be paid back when the home is sold or money is taken out of the property. The lien makes sure the money goes back to the program in the future, so it can help more people.

What you need to know:

There is no upfront cost.
The lien is good for 99 years.
There is no interest.
The lien is due when the house is sold or refinanced and money is taken out of the property.
It needs to be paid back in one lump sum, a payment plan is not available.
The property owner chooses their own contractor.
An agreement must be signed by the city, property owner, and contractor before work can begin.

LEAP requires customers and contractors to follow a specific process to participate. Please pay close attention to the directions sent to you and email LEAP@columbus.gov if you have any questions.

Interested? Apply to LEAP(PDF, 112KB)

If you’d like to be considered as a customer-selected LEAP contractor, please fill out this brief interest form.

What service lines are eligible for LEAP?

Only lead and galvanized water service lines are eligible for replacement under LEAP.

LEAP is available throughout the greater Columbus area as serviced by Columbus Water & Power (formally Columbus Department of Public Utilities). If you receive a water bill from Columbus Water & Power you are eligible for LEAP.

Email LEAP@columbus.gov if you have questions about eligibility.

When is the money due?

No payment is due until the house is sold or refinanced and money is taken out of the property

For example, the property owner takes out a home equity line of credit to redo their kitchen, the lien is required to be paid first.

Some homeowners do like to pay it off, and in that case we only accept a one-time payment. Payment plans are not available.

What if the property is inherited?

If the property is inherited and no funds are dispersed, the lien is not due and will stay on the property. The lien is due when the property sells or when a significant amount of funds are dispersed.

Does this prevent me from taking out a second mortgage?

Yes. The LEAP lien must be repaid before any additional mortgages or liens are taken out on the property.

I already replaced my line, can the city reimburse me?

No. The city can't reimburse homeowners for work that has already been performed. No part of the Lead Service Line Replacement program allows for a property owner to be reimbursed.

If you participate in the LEAP program, work can't begin until a third party agreement is signed and you've been sent a notice to preceed letter. If work is done before the agreement is signed, the property is no longer eligible for LEAP and the property owner won't be reimbursed.

What contractors can I choose?

The property owner picks their own contractor. The contractor must be:

Certified to work on water service lines
- How to navigate to certified contractors: click the link above, go to licenses/registrations, click search for a licensed professional, in the drop down menu select sewer/water contractor, fill in your information for a list of contractors closest to you.
Registered with City of Columbus vendor services

Property owners must get three quotes for your line replacement and submit them to LEAP@columbus.gov. Contractors will be sent a three-party agreement to sign. The contractor, property owner and city must sign the agreement before work can begin.

The city cannot force a contractor to participate in the program. Please let your contractor know you intend to participate in this program.

I'm a contractor interested in LEAP. How can I participate?

To participate in LEAP the contractor must be:

Certified to work on water service lines
Registered with vendor services

Not sure if you're in vendor services? Reach out to us at vendorservices@columbus.gov.

Registering with vendor services is a relatively quick process. For instructions to register with vendor services, watch the video below, read the user guide starting on page three here(PDF, 5MB) or sign up at this site.

Does the lien cover restoration work?

Yes, the lien can cover restoration work. All work must be included in the quote from your contractor, including restoration work. The lien will not cover restoration done by a different contractor other than the one who signed the three party agreement. Only one comprehensive quote will be approved.

Will my water bill increase?

Participating in LEAP will not increase your water bill. LEAP is not added to your water bill. However, as a result of a new water service line, your water pressure will likely improve and you may see a small increase in your water usage.

How long does this process take?

LEAP requires documentation from the contractor and property owner, therefore, the timeline heavily depends upon how quickly we get those documents back. Our goal is to complete the entire process in 2-3 weeks. Please pay close attention to the instructions emailed to you to ensure this process moves as quickly as possible. Reach out to LEAP@columbus.gov if you have any questions.

Work cannot begin until we have a three-party agreement signed and you have been sent a begin work letter. The city can't reimburse the property owner or contractor for work performed before these steps are completed.

How much does the lien cover?

The lien covers up to $10,000. Property owners must submit their application with three quotes for water line replacement to LEAP@columbus.gov.

I'm out of water. Can I participate in LEAP?

Yes, however, this process may take an estimated 2-3 weeks to complete. Customers without water can apply for LEAP but they will remain without water until replacement is complete.

Our team will do everything we can to complete this process in a timely manner, however, we require documentation from the contractor and property owner. Please carefully read the instructions shared with you and send back the necessary paperwork as quickly as possible to keep the process moving.

3. First step: Pilot Project

The first phase of replacement, the Pilot Project, is in partnership with the Columbus Department of Development and will by completed by the end of 2025. The project is expected to replace 100-150 water service lines. The Pilot Project is an income-qualifying program. The income guidelines for the Pilot Project follow the 80% area median family income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). View these income limits here(PDF, 111KB) or see below.

For those interested in applying to the Pilot Project, an application is required and income information must be verified. Applications for rentals must be completed by the tenant and property owner.

Complete the Pilot Project application here.(PDF, 558KB)

Applications can be emailed to leadsafelines@columbus.gov or mailed to 111 N Front St, Columbus, OH 43215, addressed to Lead Safe Columbus. Before submitting your application, please review the first page of the application to check that you've attached all required documents.

2024 HUD INCOME GUIDELINES FOR COLUMBUS MSA INCOME LIMITS (MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME - $103,300).png

4. 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 2025 the city will begin notifying residents who are eligible for replacement.

How will the City schedule areas for replacement?

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.

5. 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 Columbus Water & Power. The city 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 their 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.

Columbus Water & Power

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

6. 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 us the authority to remove lead service lines on private property and fund the replacement program. The ordinance established the Lead Service Line Removal Program.

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

7. 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 by NO 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, which is well below the action level of 15 parts per billion.