St. Louis, MO
Lead service line replacement in St. Louis
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
In the City of St. Louis, the privately owned part of a lead service line is the property owner's responsibility, and city ordinances don't allow water-rate revenue to pay for replacing it. The Water Division is pursuing grants to replace private lines for eligible owners and developing a zero-interest loan for owners who replace at their own expense.
What's different in St. Louis
The City of St. Louis Water Division's inventory lists about 9,000 service lines as lead, 46,000 as non-lead and 58,000 as unknown. [1]
City ordinances do not allow water-rate revenue to be used to replace privately owned lead service lines. [1]
The Water Division is pursuing grant funding to replace lead lines on behalf of eligible property owners, with an application process, and is developing a zero-interest loan program for owners who replace at their own expense. [1]
A $5 million St. Louis lead service line replacement request was included on the fundable list of Missouri DNR's Fiscal Year 2025 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan. [1]
If your line is listed as unknown
With about 58,000 lines of unknown material, many St. Louis owners won't find a clear answer in the city's records. You can check the pipe yourself where it enters the basement before the meter: lead is dull gray, soft and scratches to shiny silver; copper looks like a penny; galvanized steel is gray and hard, and a magnet sticks to it. Reporting what you find helps the city update its inventory.
Your options today
| Option | Status | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Grant-funded replacement | Being pursued by the Water Division | Will require an application and eligibility rules |
| Zero-interest loan | In development | For owners who replace at their own expense |
| Hire a licensed plumber now | Available | You pay; coordinate with the Water Division on the public side |
Reducing exposure while you wait
- Use cold water for drinking, cooking and baby formula.
- Run the tap for a few minutes after water has sat for hours, or until it feels colder.
- Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead, and replace cartridges on schedule; see water filtration systems.
- Clean faucet aerators, where lead particles can collect.
Further reading: How to tell what your pipes are made of.
What St. Louis homeowners usually check next
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomWater bill suddenly high
- SymptomNo water in the house
Common questions
Who pays to replace a private lead service line in St. Louis?
The property owner, for now: city ordinances don't let water-rate revenue pay for the private side. The Water Division is pursuing grants for eligible owners.
How many lead service lines does St. Louis have?
The city's inventory lists about 9,000 as lead, 46,000 as non-lead and 58,000 as unknown.
Is there a loan to replace a lead line in St. Louis?
The Water Division is developing a zero-interest loan program for owners who replace lead lines at their own expense. Check the city's lead service line page for its status.
My St. Louis service line is listed as unknown. What should I do?
Check the pipe where it enters the basement and report what you find to the Water Division. Many lines are unknown simply because records are incomplete.
Can I hire my own plumber to replace a lead line in St. Louis?
Yes. Coordinate with the Water Division so the public side is handled too, since a partial replacement can raise lead levels.
Does this apply in St. Louis County?
No. This page covers the City of St. Louis Water Division. Much of St. Louis County is served by Missouri American Water, which runs its own program.
Has St. Louis received federal money for lead lines?
A $5 million request was placed on the fundable list of Missouri DNR's FY2025 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund plan.
What does a lead line replacement involve in St. Louis?
A plumber replaces the line from the curb to the meter, usually in copper, often by digging at both ends and boring between them. Permits and a city inspection apply.
Is St. Louis tap water safe if I have a lead line?
Lead can enter water from the service line. Run cold water before using it, and use a certified lead filter for drinking and cooking until the line is replaced.
Will replacing my lead line fix lead in my house?
It removes the biggest source, but lead solder and old fixtures can remain. A licensed plumber can check interior plumbing.
More plumbing help in St. Louis
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 BostonHow Boston Water and Sewer Commission's free lead service replacement works: free inspection, free replacement, how to check your address, and what to expect.
- 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 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 (1)
- City of St. Louis, Lead Service Line Upgrades Frequently Asked Questions · checked 2026-10-03