Program Overview

We ensure Toledo's water is safe, clean, and distributed efficiently to all customers.

The City's lead service line replacement program proactively identifies and removes water service lines made of lead at both the city's side and the customer's side of the connection.

The multi-year project will remove and replace all lead drinking water service lines as part of a national and state-wide initiative to protect residents from potential exposure to lead in their drinking water.

All customer side replacements are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The city's contractor will replace customer side lead lines at no cost to the property owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my water safe?

Yes. To keep our customers safe the department has been utilizing specific water chemistry to coat the pipes and services in our system, encasing any lead or harmful particles allowing for safe clean drinking water. Required annual lead testing has consistently shown our water is free of lead and safe to drink.

What does this notice I received in the mail mean?

Each year we send notification letters to customers with known lead lines, known galvanized lines that need replacement, and unknown lines. The letters provide information for residents in each category and should be posted or shared amongst residents in multi-unit buildings.

Lead Service Line Notice

Galvanized Requiring Replacement Service Line Notice

Unknown Service Line Notice

Why are you replacing lines?

Toledo Public Utilities has replaced city-owned lead service lines for 20 years through its water main replacement program and over the past few years, lead service lines have also been replaced as part of the roadway reconstruction program, when encountered during service repairs, and whenever private property owners replace their lead service lines.

How does Toledo supply water?

The city of Toledo supplies water to a population of approximately 500,000 people located in the city and surrounding areas including parts of Lucas, Wood, and Fulton Counties, and south Monroe County in Michigan. Consumers are supplied potable water through a large, complex system owned and operated by the city of Toledo. The system provides approximately 75 million gallons per day (MGD) of water.

The system is managed by the city of Toledo, Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water Treatment, under the authority of the Mayor and City Council with direction provided by the Toledo Regional Water Commission.

How much will this cost me?

There is no cost to the property owner for replacement. The project is being funded by grants, not through service fees or assessments.

Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), EPA Environmental Justice Grant, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Ohio EPA Water Replacement Loan Program will be used for this program.

If my lead service line is replaced, will all of the lead be removed from my drinking water?

No. If you live in a home that was built prior to 1986, it is possible that lead solder was used to connect the pipes within your home.

If you suspect that you have lead solder based on the age of your home, flush your water for approximately 1 to 3 minutes when the water system has not been used for more than 6 hours.

What should I do after my lead service line is replaced?

The lead service line replacement may cause changes in water quality, including the possibility of a temporary increase in lead levels in the drinking water.

If the private side service line is copper, you should simply flush your water lines.

If the private side service line is not copper, the City of Toledo will provide residents with water filters that are certified to remove lead. Use this filter for all water used for drinking and cooking.

You will need to flush your water. Open all taps in your home and allow the water to run for 30 minutes.

Does the City perform a lead test on my water supply after the service line has been replaced?

Yes. After we replace the city's side of the line will provide a sample bottle and instructions to anyone who has galvanized or lead lines on the customer's side. Test results will be delivered within 30 days. If lead is present in the sample, we will be in touch before that. We might ask for a second sample.