Lead Service Line Inventory: Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is a pipe that carries water from the city's main water line to your home. If your house was built before the 1980s, your service line might be made of lead—a toxic metal that can leach into drinking water, especially in homes with corrosive water or older plumbing.
The Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant serves about 270,000 people across the area. To protect public health, the utility is required to track and eventually replace lead service lines in the community.
What we know about Fort Wayne's lead service lines
The utility has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. Without a detailed count, we don't know how many homes may be affected or when replacements will begin.
The good news: Fort Wayne draws water from surface sources, which tends to be less corrosive than groundwater and reduces the risk of lead leaching. However, lead pipes themselves are the primary concern, regardless of water source.
What you should do now
If you own your home: Contact the Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant directly to ask whether your address has a lead service line. You can also request a free or low-cost water test to check for lead. Many utilities and health departments offer testing.
If you rent: Ask your landlord about the age of the building and request that the property be tested. Landlords are often required to disclose known lead hazards.
While waiting for replacement: If you're concerned about lead exposure, use cold tap water for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches lead more readily), and run the tap for 30 seconds before drinking if water has sat in pipes overnight.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility at Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant to ask about lead service lines at your address and request a water test
- Check your home's age: If built before 1980, lead pipes are more likely
- Learn more from the EPA's lead and copper rule and CDC guidance on lead in drinking water
- Report concerns to Indiana's Department of Environmental Management if you believe your utility isn't meeting testing or replacement deadlines
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Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if my house has a lead service line in Fort Wayne?
Contact the Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant with your address. They can tell you if your home is connected via a lead service line. Many utilities also provide free water testing to detect lead.
Is lead in drinking water dangerous?
Lead is toxic and can affect the brain and kidneys, especially in children and pregnant people. For health concerns, talk to your doctor or contact the CDC's lead poisoning prevention hotline.
When will my lead service line be replaced?
Fort Wayne is still developing its full inventory, so replacement timelines are not yet public. Contact the utility to ask about their replacement schedule and whether your address is prioritized.
What can I do right now to reduce lead exposure?
Use cold tap water for drinking and cooking, run the tap for 30 seconds after it's been unused for several hours, and consider a water filter certified to remove lead. Boiling water does not remove lead.