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The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) currently have lead service line replacement pilot programs. These programs will replace water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel for free to eligible homeowners in specific locations.

You cannot request to participate in these programs.

New York City’s water:

  • Is delivered from upstate reservoirs through lead-free aqueducts and water mains
  • Meets or exceeds federal and state health standards

However, any lead within a water service line and household plumbing could increase the risk of exposure to lead through drinking water. Lead is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Lead can cause serious health problems, particularly for young children and pregnant women. If you have a lead service line, it is at least 60 years old and should be replaced.

The water service line is:

  • The pipe that brings water from the city’s water main in the street into your home
  • Owned and maintained by the homeowner

Lead Test Kit

DEP will provide a free lead test kit for residential drinking water. To request your free kit, visit the Lead in Drinking Water page. 

DEP's pilot program is free and currently available for homes in Bronx Community Boards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

You cannot request to participate in this program.

Homeowners deemed eligible to participate will:

  • Receive a phone call, email, or program notification letter in the mail from DEP
  • Need to sign and return a Property Owner Consent form
  • Not be charged on their water bills or property taxes
  • Have their lead service line replaced with a new copper line

Only homeowners who have received a program notification letter, phone call, or email from DEP are eligible. If you’ve received a program notification in the mail, you should sign and return the Property Owner Consent form to DEP as soon as possible. Only property owners may sign the waiver.

Learn more about the program.

Use DEP’s map to check an address’s water service line.

If you need to update your service line material records, you can submit your water service line change through DEP's Permit and Review Information System (PARIS) website, nyc.gov/dep/PARIS.

The PARIS Service Line Identification User Manual has instructions on how to create an account and submit your information.

If you need guidance on how to identify the material of your water service line, DEP has an informational flyer: Help Identify Your Service Line Today Flyer.

More Help

By Email

leadservices@dep.nyc.gov

By Phone

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is managing separate, targeted pilot projects to replace lead service lines while replacing water mains, on behalf of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

You cannot request to participate in this program.

If your address is within the project area and meets the requirements, you will:

  • Get an initial contact letter from DEP about eligibility for free replacement.
  • Get a second program notification letter from DDC with the name and contact information for a dedicated community liaison that includes the Property Owner Consent form to be returned to them as soon as possible. 

Queens Project

If you’ve received a notification from DDC and/or DEP about your eligibility for the program you can contact the Community Liaison for the Queens Project ID: QED1056 at the information below:

By Email

qed1056ccl@gmail.com

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Design and Construction
  • Division: Lead Replacement Line Project Queens
  • Phone Number: (631) 507-3180
  • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Voicemail box available 24/7.

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