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🏛️ Civic guideToledo · ARPA-funded

Toledo's free lead service line replacement program

Roughly 25% of Toledo's water service lines are still lead. The city is replacing them for free under an ARPA-funded program. Here's exactly how to enroll, what happens, and what to do afterward — including what your interior galvanized pipes still need.

Step-by-step

  1. 1
    Look up your address in Toledo's lead-line inventory

    Go to toledo.oh.gov/residents/water/lead-service-lines and enter your address. If lead is flagged, you're already in the program. If not yet inventoried, call Engage Toledo at (419) 936-2020 to request an inspection.

  2. 2
    Wait for your scheduled replacement window

    The city schedules by neighborhood, working through the 25% of homes with lead lines. You'll get a 30-day mailed notice with your specific replacement date. No action required from you to enroll — it's automatic if you're in the inventory.

  3. 3
    On the replacement day

    Water shut off ~4-6 hours. Excavation crew digs from the property line to your home. New copper or PEX line goes in. Old lead pipe is hauled off and reported to EPA per ARPA accountability rules.

  4. 4
    Flush your interior plumbing for 30 minutes from every faucet

    Cold water at full pressure. Start at the lowest fixture (basement utility sink) and work up. The replacement disturbs sediment that can carry residual lead. Don't skip this step.

  5. 5
    Test your interior galvanized pipes (if pre-1950 home)

    If your home was built before 1950 and you have brown water 24 hours after replacement, your interior supply lines are galvanized. Time to plan a repipe ($4,000-$15,000 to PEX or copper). See our cost guide on main water line replacement and our knob-and-tube + galvanized pipe age guide for detailed walkthrough.

  6. 6
    Replace your faucets + filters if 20+ years old

    Old brass faucets (pre-2014) can contain up to 8% lead by weight. Modern lead-free faucets are <0.25% lead per the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act. Combined with a NSF-53 certified pitcher or under-sink filter, this gets your kitchen tap to bottled-water-grade.

Verified Toledo plumbers for the follow-up

After the city replaces your service line, your next step might be testing or repiping interior galvanized supply lines. These verified Toledo-metro plumbers handle that work.

FAQ

Does my Toledo home have a lead service line?

About 25% of Toledo's service lines are lead. Pre-1986 homes are highest-risk. The City of Toledo runs an inventory you can search at toledo.oh.gov/residents/water/lead-service-lines using your address. If your service line is lead, you'll see it flagged. If your home isn't yet inventoried, you can request a free inspection by calling Engage Toledo at (419) 936-2020.

Is the city really replacing it for free?

Yes. The customer-side service line (the pipe from the property line to your home) is replaced free under the ARPA-funded program. Historically that work cost homeowners $3,500-$8,000 — fully covered now. The city-side portion (under the street) was always the city's responsibility. Both halves get replaced together so there's no lead pipe left.

What happens after replacement — is my water lead-free?

Mostly, but not entirely. Your interior plumbing — especially galvanized pipes (1900-1950 housing) — can still leach lead, copper, and iron. After your service line is replaced, the city flushes from the meter outward; you should also flush at full pressure for 30 minutes from every faucet. If your interior pipes are galvanized, repipe to PEX or copper is the next step ($4,000-$15,000 with a licensed plumber). See our guide on knob-and-tube + galvanized pipe age.

How long does the actual replacement take?

Excavation + replacement is typically 1 day. The city schedules in batches by neighborhood. You'll get a 30-day notice. Water is shut off for 4-6 hours during the replacement. Post-replacement flushing takes another 30 minutes from each faucet (you do this).

Will I see brown water after the replacement?

Sometimes — especially if your interior pipes are galvanized. Disturbance during the line swap can release iron sediment. Run cold water at full pressure for 5-10 minutes from every faucet. If brown water persists past 24 hours, the issue is interior plumbing, and you should call a verified plumber for inspection (sediment filter or repipe).

What about lead paint and lead-painted soil — is that part of this program?

No. The Toledo Lead Stabilization Grant program is separate. It reimburses up to $15,000/unit for lead-paint mitigation work (encapsulation, replacement of lead-painted windows, etc.) for landlords + owner-occupants in qualifying areas. Apply through Toledo Healthy Homes (419-245-1191).

I'm a renter — can I trigger replacement?

Yes. Renters can call Engage Toledo (419-936-2020) to request inspection of their address. The replacement happens to the property regardless of owner-occupier or rental status. If your landlord is unresponsive after lead is detected, escalate to Toledo-Lucas County Health District (419-213-4100).

Findlay residents — is there a similar program?

City of Findlay's lead-line inventory is more limited. Findlay's housing stock skews newer than Toledo, so lead service lines are less common. If you're concerned, call City of Findlay Water Distribution at (419) 424-7113 for a free water test. Hancock County Health: (419) 424-7437.

Civic resources

  • Toledo lead service line lookup: toledo.oh.gov/residents/water/lead-service-lines
  • Engage Toledo (request inspection): (419) 936-2020
  • Toledo Healthy Homes (lead paint grants): (419) 245-1191
  • Toledo-Lucas County Health (escalation): (419) 213-4100
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
Cost: main water line replacement →Galvanized + insurance guide →
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