Lead Service Lines in Woodbury, Minnesota

Woodbury serves about 82,600 people with groundwater. Like many US water systems, it may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect your home to the main water line. These pipes can leach lead into drinking water, especially in homes built before the 1980s.

What you should know about Woodbury's lead inventory

The city has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in the system. This means the water utility doesn't yet have a comprehensive count of which properties have lead pipes.

Lead service line inventories are now required under federal Safe Drinking Water Act rules. Utilities must complete them and develop replacement plans. Woodbury is still working on this process.

Does your home have a lead service line?

Your risk depends on when your home was built and what pipes connect your property to the main water line. Lead pipes were commonly used before 1986 and phased out after the Safe Drinking Water Act was strengthened in 1991.

Signs your home might have lead service lines:

• Built before 1980
• Previously had water quality or discoloration issues
• You've never replaced the service line

The only way to know for sure is to contact Woodbury Water Utilities or have a licensed plumber inspect the pipes at your property line.

Protecting your family while you wait

Even if your home has a lead service line, steps can reduce exposure:

• Run the tap cold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes each morning or after hours without use. This flushes stagnant water that's picked up lead.
• Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water dissolves lead faster.
• Consider a point-of-use filter certified for lead removal (look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification).
• If you have young children, talk to your pediatrician about lead testing.

For detailed health guidance, visit the CDC's lead and health page.

Next steps for residents

• Contact Woodbury Water Utilities to ask about your property's service line status and the city's timeline for completing its inventory.
• Request a water quality test if you're concerned about lead levels in your home.
• If you know your service line is lead, ask the utility about replacement funding or programs—federal funds are now available for this work.
• Keep records if you've already replaced your service line; share them with the utility for their inventory.

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if Woodbury water has lead in it?", "a": "Woodbury is still completing its inventory of lead service lines. Lead enters water through the pipes at your home, not from the treatment plant. Contact Woodbury Water Utilities to ask about your property's pipes and request a free or low-cost water test." }, { "q": "Is it safe to drink tap water in Woodbury Minnesota?", "a": "Woodbury's treated water meets federal safety standards. However, lead can enter your water through service lines or household plumbing. If your home was built before 1980, flush your cold-water tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes each morning, use only cold water for drinking and cooking, and consider testing." }, { "q": "How much does it cost to replace a lead service line in Woodbury?", "a": "Replacement costs vary but typically range from $1,500 to $5,000+. Federal and state funding programs are now available. Contact Woodbury Water Utilities to ask about grants, rebates, or low-interest loan programs for residents." }, { "q": "Can lead in water harm my kids?", "a": "Yes—lead exposure is especially harmful to children under 6 and pregnant women. If you're concerned