Lead Service Lines in Miami, FL
Miami's water system serves about 2.5 million people through 93 different water utilities. The good news: none of Miami's utilities have reported known lead service lines in their inventories. However, that doesn't mean lead pipes aren't present in older homes—it means utilities either haven't found them yet or the data isn't publicly available.
Why this matters
Lead service lines—the pipes that connect your home to the water main—are the largest remaining source of lead exposure in US drinking water. Lead doesn't come from treatment plants; it leaches from old pipes into water as it travels to your home. Even small amounts matter, especially for children and pregnant people.
Most homes built before 1986 in older neighborhoods are at higher risk of having lead service lines, since that's when the EPA phased out lead solder in plumbing. But pipes installed even in the 1970s and early 1980s may contain lead or be galvanized (a coating that can corrode and release lead).
What Miami utilities are doing
The largest system is MDWASA - MAIN SYSTEM, which serves 2.4 million residents. It has reported zero known lead service lines, but this may reflect the early stage of their inventory work rather than the actual absence of lead pipes. Florida requires water systems to complete lead service line inventories by 2026 under new EPA rules—so information is still being gathered.
Smaller systems like MDWASA/REX UTILITIES (45,200 people) and Miami International Airport (25,000 people) have also reported no confirmed lead service lines.
What you can do now
Your water utility should have information about whether your specific address is served by a lead service line. You can request this directly, or ask them to help you determine the age and material of pipes serving your home. A water test can detect lead levels in your tap water right now—this is the most reliable way to know if lead is actually reaching your kitchen.
If you're concerned about children's health, the CDC has guidance on reducing lead exposure. A pediatrician can also order a blood lead test.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility and ask for their lead service line inventory data for your address.
- Get your tap water tested for lead—your utility can tell you where to do this (often free or low-cost).
- Ask about pipe material when you call: Is your service line lead, copper, galvanized steel, or unknown?
- Check the EPA's "My Water's Fluoride" tool and your utility's annual water quality report for the most recent test results.