DEP Releases Lead Service Line Replacement Plan Two Years Ahead of Schedule

December 18, 2025

DEP Proactively Develops Plan to Comply with Federal Lead and Copper Rule

Agency to Provide No-Cost Replacements When Water Main Replacement Work Disturbs a Privately-Owned Lead Service Line

Calls for Legislative Reforms and Expanded Funding

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The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the release of its federally mandated New York City Lead Service Line Replacement Plan two years ahead of schedule to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

New York City's water is delivered lead-free through 7,000 miles of aqueducts, tunnels and water mains and meets or exceeds all federal and state health standards. However, private service lines made of lead can increase the risk of lead exposure through household plumbing. Although water service lines are the responsibility of the property owner, DEP has made it a priority to assist property owners with replacing their lead service lines. The plan released today outlines how DEP will work to eliminate remaining privately-owned lead service lines in the City, including no-cost replacements when the City disturbs a line during water main replacement work, and calls for legislative reforms to drive faster citywide replacement. In addition, DEP is committed to pursuing state and federal funding opportunities that support meaningful progress towards replacement at no cost to homeowners.

"We are pleased that this plan will put New York City in compliance with the EPA's new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements," said DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala. "It makes clear that accelerating lead service line replacement requires smart legislation. It's also important to note that our plan provides a floor not a ceiling. Future administrations can certainly choose to do more than the federal regulation requires, but that will require either raising water rates or finding other sources of city, state, federal or other grant funding."

In New York City, lead service lines (LSLs) were legal until 1961, and patch repairs to lead lines were allowed until 2009. The stock of water service lines in the City is comprised of copper, galvanized steel, lead, brass, and ductile iron or a combination of the above. Most LSLs remaining today are found in older, 1- to 4-family homes. However, they are distributed broadly across all boroughs, neighborhoods, and property values. DEP's records indicate that there are approximately 121,100 known lead or galvanized service lines, but because all known LSLs in New York City are privately owned, DEP cannot simply mandate replacement.

To address this, DEP supports legislation requiring replacement at the time of property sale, during major renovations, or when a no-cost replacement is offered. The importance of reforms is underscored by lessons learned from DEP's ongoing lead service line replacement program. Because no legal mandate exists to compel owners to participate, only 63% of those offered a free replacement have chosen to receive the lead service line replacement.

Based on the length of the service line and other site-specific variables, service line replacement cost could be between $5,000 and $10,000 per lead service line. City contracting often comes at a premium, with DEP paying 25-50% more than private contractors would charge homeowners. Finally, many service lines identified as lead have turned out not to be lead. All these factors have reduced the expected cost savings of a district-based city-contracted approach.

DEP's plan is as follows: DEP will conduct no-cost replacements when the City disturbs an LSL during water main replacement work. DEP will implement an LCRI-compliant outreach program requesting that homeowners replace their LSLs at their own expense, with communications structured to inform and guide them through the replacement process. DEP and the NYC Water Board will seek to make financing options, such as loans or the inclusion of installment amounts on DEP's bill, available to help low-income New Yorkers manage the cost of LSL replacements.

DEP has received $72 million in limited funding (federal and state grants) through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to remove lead water service lines from private properties in low-income and environmental justice neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. And the agency anticipates another $48 million will be allocated. DEP has aggressively argued for New York City to receive its fair share of funding. However, as the report details, there are no guarantees that any future funding will be allotted.

The plan is consistent with DEP's existing legal authority and is drafted to be fully compliant with the LCRI requirements for service lines not under the City's control. This plan reaffirms the agency's commitment to ensure every New Yorker has access to safe, clean drinking water. DEP believes that tap water continues to be the healthiest and cheapest source of hydration for New York families.

Lead poses serious health risks, particularly for young children and pregnant women. DEP strongly encourages property owners with lead service lines to replace them in order to reduce the chance of exposure.

DEP offers free lead test kits to anyone concerned about potential lead levels in their home's water. Each kit includes simple instructions for collecting a sample and a pre-paid shipping label to send it to a lab for analysis. Results are mailed back within 30 days.

To request a kit or for more information on lead in drinking water and our free lead service line replacement program, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/dep/lead.

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City's water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X.