Lead Service Line Replacement – Owner Request Program
As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce lead exposure, Milwaukee Water Works offers an Owner Request Program to give residents a pathway to replace lead service lines on their property.
Please review the information below before submitting your application.
Beginning in 2026, 200 properties will be selected each year for lead service line replacement.
Selection details:
- For the 2026 program, slots were filled based on a combination of factors and the order applications were received.
- After 2026, the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Property owners who are selected will receive a notice in the fall before work begins.
Milwaukee Water Works is committed to replacing all lead service lines to ensure safe drinking water for everyone.
How the Program Works:
Who is eligible?
- Only owners of 1–4-unit residential properties with no commercial use are eligible.
- If your property has more than four units or any commercial use, you can still replace your service line by hiring a contractor. The contractor will coordinate with Milwaukee Water Works for the public side replacement.
How are properties selected?
Properties are chosen each year based on program capacity.
If there are more applicants than available spots, eligible properties are ranked based on the order applications were received.
Cost and Responsibility
- You will pay less of the actual cost or the average cost of replacing the privately-owned section of the lead service line.
- The five-year average cost of replacing the private-side lead service line is $3,454.
- The amount can be paid in full within 45 days of receiving the invoice or over a period of 15 years as a special assessment of the tax bill.
- Milwaukee Water Works will pay the cost to replace the publicly owned section.
How do I apply?
- Submit the application below to request inclusion in the program.
- Requests are subject to capacity limits — there is no guarantee your replacement will happen in the same year you apply.
Approval and Payment
- If approved, Milwaukee Water Works will notify you when they are ready to schedule construction.
- You must complete and return the required documents within 10 business days of receiving the notice offering the opportunity to be included in the program.
- The City of Milwaukee will send you an invoice on September 1.
- The property owner’s cost can be repaid in full within 45 days of receiving the invoice.
- If the full amount due is not paid within 45 days, the City of Milwaukee will automatically assign a special assessment to the property owner’s tax bill.
- If transferred to the property tax bill, the owner can make an annual payment over 15 years, with interest (prime rate + 1%), or pay the remaining balance at any time.
When will my property be replaced?
Milwaukee Water Works selects 200 properties each year for lead service line replacement. Property owners who are selected will receive a notice in the fall before work begins.
Apply for the Owner Request Program
To begin the process, fill out and submit the form below to be part of the Owner Request Program.
Property Owner's *Last Name
(* Please note that the name submitted must match City of Milwaukee property records.)
Property Street Address:
City: State: ZIP:
Phone number 1 Mobile Land line
Phone number 2 Mobile Land line
Email address 1
Email address 2
Number of dwelling units at this property
Does this property have any commercial purpose, per the Office of the City Assessor? Yes No
Submit 4-5 photographs of the water meter and surrounding area:
- Include the meter in each photo, and take multiple photos from various distances from the meter (1. Close up, 2. From three feet away, 3. From 5-10 feet away, 4. From 10-15 feet away, 5. From 15-20 feet away.) Water Works will need to confirm that there are no obstructions to accessing the meter on the day of construction.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Uploaded files are stored separately from the rest of the data submitted with the form. Therefore, the file name for each photograph must include the property address or Water Works staff will not be able to associate your photos with the appropriate property. If you are taking photos with an iPhone, save the images to the iPhone "Files" app first, which allows a user to modify the file name, then upload to this form. Or, save the photos to a desktop computer so you can rename each image file prior to uploading them to this form.
Submit photo #1 here:
Submit photo #2 here:
Submit photo #3 here:
Submit photo #4 here:
Submit photo #5 here:
I understand that I will be required to pay 100% of the actual cost to replace the privately-owned portion of the lead service line, or the current average cost, whichever is less.
I understand that I will receive an invoice by mail, and can pay the invoice in full within 45 days of the postmarked date, or as a special assessment on my property tax bill. (Invoices are mailed out once per year, on or shortly after September 1.)
I understand that if I elect to pay over time as a special assessment, my debt will accrue interest at the current Prime Rate plus 1%.
I understand that I must fill out, sign, and return two forms:
1) The "Election to Use City Contractor to Replace Lead Service Line and Install Meter Setting form, which authorizes a City-designated contractor to perform work on my property, and
2) The "Temporary Right-of-Entry, Construction Easement, and Hold Harmless Agreement", which authorizes a City-designated contractor to enter my property to perform the necessary work, and includes a Scope of Work.
I understand that the Owner Request Replacement Option Program is subject to the capacity of Milwaukee Water Works and its designated contractors, and may be influenced by the number of emergency and planned lead service line replacements in any given year, as well as other factors, and that there is no guarantee that my service line will be replaced in the same year that I make this request, and that the determination to proceed with the work on my property rests with Milwaukee Water Works.
Children under the age of 6 reside at this property. (Do not check if there are no children under 6 years old.)
Please indicate the ages of children younger than six years old:
Child age:
Child age:
Child age:
Children between the age of 6 and 18 years reside at this property. (Do not check if there ae no children between 6 and 18 years old.)
Please indicate the ages of the children who are between 6 and 18 years old:
Child age:
Child age:
Child age:
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected], or call 414-286-6304, or indicate your questions here (limit 500 characters):
Customer Service Center
For billing and related questions:
24-Hour Control Center
For water emergencies only:
414-286-5452 (Fax)
Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway, Room 406, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:45 PM