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Lead Service Replacement Program

For more information:
Water Utility: (608) 264-LEAD (5323), email: water@cityofmadison.com
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In February, 2000, Madison's lead water service line replacement Ordinance (MGO Section 13.18) went into effect. The Ordinance requires that all lead water service lines in the city be replaced by January, 2011. The requirement applies to both the Utility-owned service line extending from the water main in the street to the curb stop box, and the customer-owned service line extending from the curb box to the customer's water meter. Water Utility crews, in coordination with customers and their plumbers, are systematically replacing Utiilty-owned water service lines made of lead that remain part of the water system. When the Utility replaces its lead service line from the water main to the curb box, property owners are required to replace the lead service line on their private property. Property owners are notified by mail when lead service replacement is scheduled for their area.

Where the property-side part of the water service is lead and the Utility's side is copper, property owners are required to replace the lead service line.  Property owners are notified by mail when they must arrange with a licensed plulmber to have the work done.  The Utility will work with customers who know they have a lead service line to get the work done in advance of the notification.

Madison must minimize the lead level in tap water in order to meet mandated federal water quality standards. Lead concentrations at customers' taps must be reduced to below 5 parts per billion to meet the federal standard. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the City of Madison require implementation of Madison's Lead Service Replacement Program as a means of attaining the federal water quality standard for lead in drinking water.

Lead Replacement Schedule

Schedules on the web site are approximate and subject to change. They are not intended to establish legal deadlines as described in the Lead Service Replacement Ordinance (MGO 13.18); Ordinance requirements and deadlines will be identified in direct correspondence with individual property owners.

Process to get Lead Service Replaced
  1. Property owners are notified by mail at least 30 days before replacement is scheduled to begin
  2. Property owner is responsible for retaining a licensed plumber to replace any lead water service line on the property.
  3. The plumber must then schedule the replacement with Madison Water Utility.
  4. The plumber is responsible for the Street Opening Permit and the Application for Water Service.

Cost Reimbursement

Property owners are eligible for partial reimbursement for the cost of replacing their lead service line. Fifty percent of the cost of the replacement, up to a maximum reimbursement of $1,000, will be reimbursed to the property owner by the Water Utility following completion of the work and submittal of a completed application form and payment receipt from the plumber. Two weeks after the plumbing contractor has applied for an Application for Water Service, the Water Utility will send out an application form to the property owner to begin the cost reimbursement process.

  • Contact us at (608) 266-4651 for more information.

Lead Education

Fact Sheets