Lead Service Lines in Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins serves about 179,900 people through its public water system. Like utilities across the country, Fort Collins may have lead service lines—pipes that connect homes to the municipal water main—installed in some neighborhoods, particularly in older areas.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the city's main into your home. These lines were commonly installed before the 1980s because lead was cheap and didn't corrode easily. In 1986, the EPA began restricting lead in plumbing materials, but lines installed before then may still be in use.
What does Fort Collins know about lead pipes?
Currently, Fort Collins has not completed a comprehensive inventory of lead service lines across the system. The city is required under federal law to identify and track these lines and create a plan to replace them. You can contact Fort Collins Utilities directly to ask:
- Whether your specific address has a known or suspected lead service line
- What replacement programs or financial assistance may be available
- When the city expects to complete its full inventory
Why should I care?
Lead can leach into drinking water, especially if water sits in pipes overnight or if your water is corrosive. Exposure is a particular concern for infants and young children. Most adults are at lower risk, but no level of lead exposure is considered completely safe.
The good news: lead can be removed by certified water filters, and many utilities offer free or reduced-cost testing and replacement programs.
What should I do now?
Your first step is to find out whether your home likely has a lead service line and whether your water contains detectable lead. Fort Collins can tell you about your property's service line. For water testing, you can request a free or low-cost test from the utility or use a certified lab.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Fort Collins Utilities to ask whether your address has a known or suspected lead service line and request a water test
- Have your water tested if you're concerned—many utilities offer free testing kits
- If lead is present, consider installing a certified lead-reduction filter on your kitchen tap or using bottled water for drinking and cooking while replacement is arranged
- Consult your pediatrician or the CDC website if you have questions about health risks, especially for young children
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Fort Collins have lead in the water?
Fort Collins hasn't completed a full inventory of lead service lines yet. Lead in your home's water depends on whether you have a lead service line and how corrosive your local water is. Contact Fort Collins Utilities to ask about your specific address and request a free water test.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Lead lines are usually in homes built before the 1980s. Fort Collins Utilities can tell you based on your address and service records. You can also look at the water line where it enters your home—lead is soft, dull gray, and can be scratched with a coin (do not do this yourself if you suspect lead).
Is lead in water dangerous for kids?
Lead exposure is a particular concern for infants and young children and can affect development. For specific health questions about your child, talk to your pediatrician or visit the CDC's lead in water page.
Can I remove lead from my tap water?
Yes. NSF-certified filters (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53) can remove lead from drinking water. Some utilities offer free or discounted filters. Boiling water does not remove lead—filters or replacement of the service line are the solutions.