Boston, MA
Lead service line replacement in Boston
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
Boston Water and Sewer Commission offers Boston property owners a free inspection and, if the water service pipe is lead, a free replacement of the private side, funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Call the BWSC Lead Hotline at (617) 989-7888 or check the Commission's Lead Service Map for your property.
What's different in Boston
BWSC offers Boston property owners a free inspection and free replacement of their building's water service pipe if it is found to be lead. [1]
The no-cost private-side replacement is funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. [2]
Property owners can call the BWSC Lead Hotline at (617) 989-7888 or use the Commission's Lead Service Map to see what BWSC has on record for their property. [2]
About a year into the free program, only around 400 property owners had taken advantage of it. [3]
How to use the free program
Check the Lead Service Map
BWSC's map shows what the Commission has on record for your property's service line.
Call the Lead Hotline
Call (617) 989-7888 to request the free inspection.
Inspection
BWSC confirms the pipe material where the line enters the building.
Free replacement if it's lead
If the pipe is lead, BWSC replaces the private side at no cost to the property owner.
Triple-deckers and multi-unit buildings
Much of Boston's housing is older multi-family buildings, where one service line feeds several units. The program is for property owners, so tenants should ask their landlord to call BWSC. Replacing the line protects every unit at once. Interior lead solder and old fixtures are separate; a licensed plumber can check them. For leaks and replacement methods anywhere, see water line repair.
Why act while it's free
The program is funded by federal infrastructure money, and BWSC has said uptake has been slow. Replacing a lead line removes the largest single source of lead in a home's water, and doing it through BWSC avoids paying a private contractor for the private side.
What Boston homeowners usually check next
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomWater bill suddenly high
- SymptomNo water in the house
Common questions
Is lead pipe replacement really free in Boston?
Yes, for Boston property owners: BWSC provides a free inspection and, if the service pipe is lead, replaces it at no cost, using federal infrastructure funds.
How do I sign up for BWSC's lead replacement?
Call the BWSC Lead Hotline at (617) 989-7888.
How do I check if my Boston property has a lead line?
Use BWSC's Lead Service Map, or look at the pipe where it enters your basement: lead is dull gray and scratches to shiny silver.
Can tenants in Boston request a lead pipe replacement?
The program is for property owners, so ask your landlord to contact BWSC. One replacement protects every unit served by that line.
How many people have used Boston's free lead program?
About 400 property owners had used it roughly a year after it launched, which BWSC and researchers described as slow uptake.
Who pays for Boston's lead line program?
The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds the no-cost private-side replacements.
Does BWSC replace lead plumbing inside the building?
No. It replaces the water service pipe. Interior pipes, solder and fixtures need a licensed plumber; see repiping.
Will replacing my lead line disrupt my water?
Water is typically off for part of a day while crews connect the new line. Follow BWSC's flushing instructions afterward.
Should I filter my water before the replacement?
If you have a lead line, a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead is a sensible precaution, especially after construction nearby.
Does the program cover Boston suburbs?
BWSC serves the City of Boston. Suburbs are served by their own water departments, so check with yours.
More plumbing help in Boston
- Sewer Line Repair in BostonBoston sewer laterals: owners pay for the entire lateral from the basement to BWSC's main, and BWSC's grant offers up to $3,000 toward work under the street.
- Water Line Repair: the full guideSigns the water service line from the meter to your house is leaking, who owns it, repair vs. replacement, lead lines, and trenchless options.
- Plumbing in BostonLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls Boston homes need most.
How other cities handle it
- Lead service line replacement in ChicagoHow lead water service line replacement works in Chicago: free and fee-waived city programs, who qualifies, what state law requires, and what the job involves.
- Lead service line replacement in DetroitHow Detroit and Michigan law handle lead water service line replacement: who pays, full-line requirements, timelines, and what homeowners should do meanwhile.
- Lead service line replacement in DenverHow Denver Water replaces customer-owned lead service lines with copper at no direct cost, which homes are most likely affected, and what to do while you wait.
- Lead service line replacement in MilwaukeeHow Milwaukee's lead service line rules work: when full replacement is required, what homeowners pay, how to look up your address, and what to do while you wait.
- Lead service line replacement in CincinnatiHow Greater Cincinnati Water Works replaces private lead service lines: who pays, who gets priority, how long the program runs, and how to get started.
- Lead service line replacement in PittsburghPittsburgh Water lead line programs: neighborhood replacements, free income-qualified replacement, plumber reimbursement, and how to apply.
- Lead service line replacement in ClevelandWhen Cleveland Water replaces your side of a lead line for free, how galvanized pipe is handled, yearly targets, and what to do next.
- Lead service line replacement in St. LouisSt. Louis lead service lines: the city's inventory, why rates can't pay for the private side, grant and loan help, and what owners can do now.
- Lead service line replacement in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia lead service lines: owner responsibility, free replacement during main work, the free ZIP-code pilot, and 0% HELP loans.
- Water and sewer service line repair in New York CityNYC owners own their water and sewer service lines: DEP 3-day and 30-day notices, the licensed master plumber rule, permits and the $1,000 shutoff fee.
- Water and sewer line repair in New OrleansWho pays for water and sewer service connections in New Orleans: Sewerage and Water Board rules, owner responsibility on post-1954 lots, and Board-caused damage.
- Water service line repair in Kansas CityKC Water service line rules: the City maintains mains to the curb box, owners repair from the curb stop to the house under Ordinance 78-22, and warranty options.
- Lead water service line replacement in Washington, DCLead service lines in Washington, DC: who pays for each side, Block-by-Block replacement of the private side at no cost, and what to do before your block comes up.
- Lead service line replacement in ProvidenceLead service lines in Providence: Providence Water's free private-side replacement for eligible customers, 10-year 0% loans, and the free public-side match.
- Lead service line replacement in Des MoinesLead service lines in Des Moines: Des Moines Water Works' free replacement funded by a $52.6M state loan, the Drake first phase, and how to check your line.
- Water line leaks in Phoenix: the meter decides who paysWater line leaks in Phoenix: the city repairs the street side of the meter, the owner the rest, and city code makes customers pay for water lost past the meter.
- Water and sewer service lines in CharlotteCharlotte water and sewer service lines: Charlotte Water handles mains to the curb, owners handle the laterals from curb to home, and what that means for leaks.
- Water line leaks in AustinWater line leaks in Austin: Austin Water owns the line to the meter box near the sidewalk, owners own everything past it.
- Water service line leaks in BuffaloBuffalo water service lines: the line from the city main to the house is private, the owner keeps up the curb box and valve, and what Buffalo Water will do for free.
- Lead service lines in Newark after the replacement programNewark replaced its 18,720-plus lead service lines at no cost to residents, funded by city and Essex County bonds. What's left to check in an older Newark home.
- Lead service line replacement in Jersey CityJersey City's Lead Free JC: about 16,000 lead lines to replace by June 2031 at no direct cost, JCMUA contractors or your own with a credit, and the inventory lookup.
- Water service line repair in SeattleSeattle water lines: owners install and maintain the private line from the city union to the house, and how SPU's leak adjustments treat city-side and.
- Water service lines in Fort WorthFort Worth service lines: the city owns the line to and including the meter, owners own the rest, the lead inventory shows no lead lines.
- Houston water service lines: the inventory and 'unknown material' lettersHouston's service line inventory: no lead lines found so far, most lines still listed as unknown, the notices sent to customers, and how to check yours.
- Dallas water service lines and the service line inventoryDallas Water Utilities' service line inventory: how materials were identified, letters to 225,000 unknown lines, and the GIS lookup.
- Water service lines in Los Angeles: no lead foundLADWP's service line inventory found no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement lines, including customer-owned ones. What that means for LA water line repairs.
- Water service lines in San Antonio: SAWS inventory and free inspectionsSAWS's service line inventory: over half of 600,000 lines unidentified, yearly letters to unknown, lead or galvanized lines, and free inspections for pre-1989 homes.
Sources (3)
- Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Free Lead Replacement Incentive Program (via Bay State Banner) · checked 2026-10-03
- East Boston Times, BWSC Announces Free Lead Pipe Replacement for Boston Property Owners (Aug. 2023) · checked 2026-10-03
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Lead pipe replacement free in Boston, but uptake slow · checked 2026-10-03