Lead Service Lines in Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth serves about 86,900 people with drinking water drawn from surface water sources. If you're concerned about lead in your home's water line, here's what you need to know about the city's lead service line program.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the water main under the street. If your home was built or connected before the 1980s, there's a chance your service line contains lead. Lead can leach into your water, especially if it's corrosive or hasn't sat in pipes overnight.
Duluth's inventory status
Duluth has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in the city. This means the utility is still in the process of identifying which homes are served by lead pipes. The city is required by federal law to complete this work and create a public map showing where lead service lines are located.
An incomplete inventory is common—many older water systems across the country are still mapping their pipes—but it also means you won't yet find a definitive public list for your address.
How to find out if your home has a lead service line
Contact Duluth Water & Electric directly. They can tell you:
- Whether your home's service line is lead, galvanized, copper, plastic, or unknown
- Whether any lead pipes are on the city's side or your property
- What replacement or testing options are available to you
You can also request your water system's most recent water quality report (called a Consumer Confidence Report), which includes information about lead testing and corrosion control measures.
If you're concerned about lead in your water
Have your water tested. A simple test costs $15–30 and can tell you whether lead is actually present in your tap water right now. This is especially important if you have young children or are pregnant—lead exposure is a health concern for developing brains.
Contact your pediatrician or the CDC if you have health questions about lead exposure.
Next steps for residents
- Call Duluth Water & Electric to ask about your home's service line and water quality.
- Request a water test if you haven't had one in the last year.
- Ask about your city's lead replacement program—programs vary, and rebates or low-interest loans may be available.
- Get your water report online or by phone to review recent lead and copper test results.
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 in Duluth has a lead service line?
Contact Duluth Water & Electric with your address—they can tell you what material your service line is made of. You can also check your home's age (homes built before 1980 are more likely to have lead pipes) and review your water system's public inventory once it's complete.
Is there lead in Duluth tap water right now?
The only way to know for sure is to test your water. Duluth's water system includes corrosion control measures, but lead can still come from older pipes in homes and the service line. A simple tap water test ($15–30) will give you a clear answer.
What should I do if my child has been drinking water from a lead service line?
Contact your pediatrician or call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO. They can advise you on testing and next steps. Early detection and management are important for children's health.
Does Duluth help pay to replace lead service lines?
Contact Duluth Water & Electric to ask about current replacement programs, rebates, or low-interest loans. Federal funding and state programs may be available to help with replacement costs.