Lead pipe replacement grants and funding — Virginia
Virginia homeowners and water systems have several funding paths to replace lead service lines, though availability and eligibility depend on your situation and income level.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
Virginia's DWSRF is the primary mechanism for funding water infrastructure, including lead service line replacement. The program offers low-interest loans to water systems and municipalities. Water utilities across Virginia use these funds to plan and execute lead line removal projects.
Virginia dedicates a portion of DWSRF funds to disadvantaged communities—typically areas where median household income is below state or national thresholds, or where water rates burden residents disproportionately. This set-aside can reduce or eliminate loan repayment obligations for eligible systems serving low-income areas.
Contact: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) manages the DWSRF. Visit DEQ's water infrastructure page or call to ask whether your water system has applied for or received DWSRF funding for lead replacement.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated federal money to states for water infrastructure. Virginia received a share of this competitive and formula-based funding. Some of these dollars flow through the DWSRF with additional flexibility—for example, reduced or forgiven principal for disadvantaged communities.
Check with your local water utility to ask if they have applied for or received BIL funds for lead service line work in your area.
Homeowner reimbursement and assistance programs
Virginia does not currently operate a direct homeowner grant or reimbursement program for private lead service line replacement. However, some water utilities may offer incentives or cost-sharing arrangements—these vary by system.
Your water utility may also partner with nonprofits or state programs that help low-income households pay for water-related repairs. Contact your utility directly to ask what options exist in your service area.
How to find out if your line is lead
Your water utility can tell you whether your service line is lead, galvanized steel, or another material. Request a free inspection or ask for records. If you own the line from the meter into your home (most do), replacement costs are your responsibility—unless a utility program or grant covers part of it.
Next steps for residents
- Call your water utility and ask: (1) Is my service line lead? (2) Does your system have funding for lead replacement? (3) Are there local grants or payment plans?
- Check income eligibility for disadvantaged-community programs if your household qualifies.
- Contact Virginia DEQ if your utility does not answer or you need clarification on DWSRF or state funding status.
- Request a free or low-cost inspection of your service line; many utilities offer this.
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```json [ { "q": "Does Virginia have money to help me replace a lead pipe in my house?", "a": "Virginia's DWSRF and federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds are available, but they primarily support water utilities, not individual homeowners. Some utilities may offer cost-sharing or incentive programs. Contact your water utility directly to ask what assistance is available in your area." }, { "q": "How do I know if I have a lead service line in Virginia?", "a": "Your water utility can tell you. Call and ask for a free inspection or records check. Most homeowners own the service line from the meter to their house, so you may be responsible for replacement—but some utilities offer help." }, { "q": "What is Virginia's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund?", "a": "The DWSRF is a low-interest loan program that helps water systems pay for infrastructure projects, including lead line replacement. It prioritizes disadvantaged communities, which may receive forgiven principal. Your utility can apply on behalf of the system and customers it serves." }, { "q": "Did Virginia