Lead Pipes

Milwaukee Water Works is committed to protecting public health by providing clean, safe drinking water. We serve Milwaukee residents, businesses, visitors, and suburban customers with high-quality water.

Providing safe drinking water is a responsibility we take seriously. Our employees are proud of our reputation for delivering some of the best-tasting and purest drinking water in the country. Thanks to new federal investments, Milwaukee has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to replace lead service lines and ensure safer water for all residents.

Milwaukee Water Works will use every available federal dollar to replace lead pipes. With new funding in place, we are expanding our efforts and working toward replacing all remaining lead service lines within the EPA’s proposed 10-year timeline.

Track Milwaukee's progress on our lead pipes dashboard. Residents and property owners can also use this tool to check if their home has a lead service line. These pages also include results from water sampling tests and information on water filters and other resources.

We are always working to improve and welcome your feedback as we continue our mission to provide clean, safe drinking water.

Patrick W. Pauly, 
Superintendent, Milwaukee Water Works

The Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 225-22.5 requires a full replacement (publicly-owned portion and privately-owned portion) of the lead service line with copper from the water main that runs under the street to the curb stop (city-owned) and from the curb stop to the meter (customer-owned) in the following situations.  

Childcare Facilities:  A licensed group child care center, a licensed family day care center, or a certified child care home. (About 50-75 per year)

Leaks or Failures: When a leak or failure is found on either the customer-owned portion (private side) or the city-owned portion (public side) of the lead service line. (About 500 - 550 per year)

Certain Planned Projects: When the city-owned section is replaced, with water main replacements and prior to road reconstruction projects (when the city is completely rebuilding the road, which doesn't include high-impact paving projects). (About 550 - 650 per year)

Prioritization Plan: Using objective criteria, Water Works will assign a score to every Census Block Group in the city, focusing on areas with the greatest need. (1,000 in 2024) Learn more about the Prioritization Plan below.

Subject to capacity, Milwaukee Water Works will replace a limited number of lead services lines that are not part of a planned project or required due to a leak. To participate in this voluntary program, property owners must agree to pay for the full cost of replacing the private portion of the service line. For more information about the Owner Request Option Program click here.

Milwaukee Water Works is expanding its lead service line replacement program to prioritize neighborhoods with the greatest need.

The Prioritization Plan balances three key factors:

1. Density of lead service lines.
2. Incidences of elevated blood lead levels (EBLL) in children.
3. The neighborhood's score on a socio-economic index.

In most cases, the property owner does not have to pay anything. 

As of January 4, 2024, there will be no cost to owners of properties with 1-4 "dwelling units" (meaning: single-family homes, duplexes, 3 or 4-unit apartment buildings) as long as there are no commercial uses, when replacement is required. 

Property owners of commercial properties are asked to share the cost of replacement with Water Works. Water Works will pay for the utility-owned portion of the service line (from the curb stop valve to the water main). Property owners of buildings that have a commercial purpose will be asked to pay the lesser of the actual or estimated cost to replace the private side (owned by the property owner). 

The five-year average cost for the private side is $3,454. Estimates can vary from project by project, and are determined by the bid submitted by the private contractor. 

Water Works will provide an estimate for a specific property upon request. 

Water Works will mail a letter to all property owners in advance of the construction project notifying them of the planned replacement. The letter will include two forms that must be completed (one authorizes the contractor to perform work on private property, and one authorizes the utility and the contractor to enter the premises to perform the work).