CITY OF BALTIMORE Lead Service Line Inventory
Baltimore Water Department serves approximately 1.6 million people across the city and surrounding areas. Like many older East Coast cities, Baltimore has lead service lines—the pipes that connect homes to the public water main. These pipes can leach lead into your tap water, especially if water sits in pipes overnight or if your home's plumbing contains lead solder or fixtures.
What Baltimore is doing
Baltimore Water Department is required under federal law to maintain an inventory of lead service lines in its system. This helps the utility and residents understand where lead pipes exist and plan replacement work.
Current inventory status: As of our last update, Baltimore Water has not yet reported a complete lead service line inventory to the EPA. This doesn't mean there are no lead lines in the system—it means the detailed count and mapping work is still underway.
What you should know
Lead service lines only pose a risk if water actually contains lead when it reaches your home. Whether that happens depends on several factors: your home's age, your plumbing materials, water chemistry, and how long water sits in pipes.
If you live in an older home (pre-1980s): Your service line is more likely to be lead. Even if you don't have a lead service line, your home's indoor plumbing may contain lead solder or brass fixtures.
Testing is the only way to know for sure. Baltimore Water can tell you whether your service line is likely lead based on your address and the age of your neighborhood. You can also get your water tested—many labs in Maryland offer this service for $20–50.
Reducing your risk:
- Let water run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking (flushes out stagnant water in pipes)
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches more lead)
- Consider a certified lead-removing filter (NSF/NSF-certified for lead)
If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or OB/GYN about your water and testing options. The CDC has detailed guidance on lead and children's health.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Baltimore Water Department to ask if your service line is lead and learn about replacement programs or financial assistance
- Get your water tested if you're concerned; results typically come back within a week
- Apply for replacement assistance if you have a lead service line—some utility programs offer partial or full funding
- Use the steps above to reduce lead exposure while you investigate your home's status
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Baltimore have lead in the water?
Lead enters water through lead service lines and household plumbing, not from the treatment plant. Whether your tap water contains lead depends on your home's pipes and service line. The only way to know is to test your water.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Contact Baltimore Water Department with your address; they can tell you based on their records and your neighborhood's age. You can also ask a plumber to inspect the pipe entering your home (it's usually in the basement).
Is it safe to drink tap water in Baltimore?
Baltimore Water treats water to safe levels before delivery. However, lead can enter water in your home's pipes after treatment. If you're concerned, test your water and use the steps above to reduce exposure risk.
What do I do if I have a lead service line?
Contact Baltimore Water to learn about replacement programs or financial assistance. In the meantime, run water for 30 seconds before drinking, use cold water, and consider a certified lead filter. Check with Baltimore Water about grants or low-interest loans for replacement.