Lead Pipe Replacement Grants and Funding in West Virginia
If you have a lead service line, replacing it is expensive—but West Virginia has multiple funding streams to help cover the cost. The state does not publish a statewide count of lead pipes, so you won't find that total here, but your local water utility can tell you whether your home is served by one.
Federal and State Funding Sources
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
West Virginia's DWSRF is the primary state loan program for water infrastructure, including lead service line replacement. The program offers low-interest loans to water systems (and sometimes homeowners) to pay for upgrades. Loans typically have repayment periods of 20 years or longer, which keeps annual payments manageable.
At least 15% of the annual DWSRF allocation must go to disadvantaged communities—places with lower household incomes or smaller, under-resourced water systems. This set-aside increases the likelihood that low-income homeowners receive forgiveness of a portion of their loan balance.
Contact the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health's Division of Water and Wastewater Management for current loan terms and application details.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law)
The federal government allocated funding through IIJA specifically for lead service line replacement nationwide. West Virginia received a share of this money, though the exact amount and how it has been allocated locally depends on individual water system and state distribution decisions. Much of this funding flows through the DWSRF as grants or principal forgiveness, which means you may not have to repay part or all of the cost.
Ask your water utility whether it has received IIJA grant funding for lead replacement and whether you qualify.
What to Do First
Your water utility is the starting point. They know:
- Whether your home has a lead service line
- Which funding programs they can access
- Whether they offer direct replacement services or reimburse homeowners
- Application deadlines and eligibility rules
Some West Virginia water systems manage lead replacement directly for customers; others require homeowners to hire contractors and apply for reimbursement. Policies vary widely.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility and ask: Do I have a lead service line? What lead replacement funding programs are available? Do you replace lines directly or reimburse homeowners?
- Request information about DWSRF loans and IIJA grants your utility may have received.
- Ask about disadvantaged-community status for your area, which may unlock additional forgiveness or grants.
- Get the utility's timeline for any lead replacement program they operate.
```json [ { "q": "Does West Virginia have a program to replace lead pipes for free?", "a": "West Virginia does not have a standalone free replacement program. However, the state's DWSRF offers low-interest loans with potential principal forgiveness in disadvantaged communities, and federal IIJA funding may pay for part or all of replacement. Contact your water utility to learn what funding they can access for your property." }, { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line in West Virginia?", "a": "Your water utility maintains records of service line material. Call or visit their website and ask them to check your address. If they cannot confirm the material, request a visual inspection or water test—though water testing alone cannot definitively prove a lead line exists." }, { "q": "Can I get a loan from West Virginia to replace my lead pipe?", "a": "Yes, through the state's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which offers low-interest loans for lead replacement. Contact the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, Division of Water and Wastewater Management, or ask your water utility if they participate and can help you apply." }, { "q": "What is principal forgiveness and does West Virginia offer it?", "a": "Principal forgiveness