Cleveland, OH
Lead service line replacement in Cleveland
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
Cleveland Water replaces the customer side of a lead service line for free whenever its crews or contractors disturb the city-owned side, a policy in place since 2018. Since 2022 it also replaces customer-side galvanized steel found downstream of city-owned lead at no charge. Suburbs served by Cleveland Water are covered too.
What's different in Cleveland
Since 2018, whenever Cleveland Water or its contractors disturb a city-owned lead service line, the department offers to replace the customer-side line for free if it is lead. [1]
Since 2022, Cleveland Water also replaces customer-side galvanized steel pipe found downstream of city-owned lead, free of charge. [1]
Cleveland Water reported aiming for about 6,000 lead line replacements a year: roughly 4,000 through its dedicated replacement program and 2,000 through water main replacement and repair work. [1]
Suburbs on Cleveland Water, such as Lakewood, Parma and North Olmsted, describe free replacement from the main to the home for properties Cleveland Water serves. [2]
What Cleveland Water replaces for free
| What's found on the customer side | Since | Cost to the owner |
|---|---|---|
| Lead, when the city-owned side is disturbed | 2018 | Free |
| Galvanized steel downstream of city-owned lead | 2022 | Free |
| Copper or plastic | n/a | No replacement needed |
Why galvanized pipe counts
Galvanized steel that sat downstream of a lead line can collect lead particles in its corroded interior and release them later, so federal rules treat it like lead when it was connected to lead. Cleveland Water's 2022 change means homeowners with that setup don't pay to replace it. Old galvanized pipe inside the house is a separate job; see repiping.
What to expect when crews reach your street
Notice
Cleveland Water notifies properties before main or service work on the street.
Permission
The owner agrees to let crews replace the customer side while the city side is open.
Replacement
The line is replaced from the main to the home, with a short water shutoff.
Flushing
Follow the flushing instructions afterward, since disturbing lead can briefly raise levels.
What Cleveland homeowners usually check next
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomWater bill suddenly high
- SymptomNo water in the house
Common questions
Does Cleveland Water replace my side of a lead line for free?
Yes, when its crews or contractors disturb the city-owned lead line serving your property. The free customer-side replacement policy dates to 2018.
Will Cleveland Water replace galvanized pipe on my side?
If the galvanized steel is downstream of city-owned lead, yes: since 2022 Cleveland Water replaces it free of charge.
How many lead lines does Cleveland Water replace a year?
It reported aiming for about 6,000 a year, roughly 4,000 through its replacement program and 2,000 through main replacement and repairs.
Do Cleveland suburbs get free lead line replacement?
Suburbs served by Cleveland Water, such as Lakewood, Parma and North Olmsted, describe free replacement for properties on Cleveland Water. Check with your city or Cleveland Water.
How do I find out if my Cleveland home has a lead line?
Look at the pipe where it enters the basement: lead is dull gray, soft and scratches to shiny silver. Cleveland Water can also tell you what its records show.
Should I pay a plumber to replace my lead line now?
Ask Cleveland Water first whether your street is scheduled. Paying privately makes sense mainly if the line is leaking or you can't wait.
What if my lead line leaks before the city gets to my street?
Call Cleveland Water and a licensed plumber. A leaking service line needs repair now; see water line repair.
Does the free program fix plumbing inside my house?
No. It covers the service line. Interior pipe, solder and fixtures are the owner's responsibility.
Is my water safe to drink after the replacement?
Flush as instructed, use cold water for drinking and cooking, and consider a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for a while afterward.
Why does Cleveland replace lead lines during main work?
When the city side is dug up anyway, replacing the customer side at the same time avoids a partial replacement, which can raise lead levels.
More plumbing help in Cleveland
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 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.
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- 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 (2)
- Trenchless Technology, Inside Cleveland Water's Ambitious Lead Service Line Replacement Program (Jan. 2024) · checked 2026-10-03
- City of Lakewood, Lead Water Safety · checked 2026-10-03