Lead Service Lines in the New York City Water System
What you need to know
The New York City water system serves approximately 8.3 million people. As of the latest data, the utility has inventoried 3,067 service lines—the pipes that connect the main water line under the street to individual buildings.
Of those inventoried lines, only 1 has been confirmed as lead. Another 2,657 are confirmed non-lead. However, 409 lines remain categorized as unknown, meaning their material hasn't been definitively identified yet.
Why this matters
Lead service lines are a real public health concern. If your building is connected to a lead line, lead particles can enter your drinking water, particularly if water sits in pipes overnight or if there's corrosion. Children and pregnant people face the highest risk.
The good news: the vast majority of NYC's inventoried lines are non-lead. That said, the presence of 409 unknown lines means the utility is still working to complete a full picture of its infrastructure.
What NYC is doing
New York City has begun cataloging its service lines as required by federal law. The low number of confirmed lead lines suggests either that lead lines are genuinely rare in the system, or that more lines need testing to be classified. The utility should be able to tell you whether your building's service line is lead, non-lead, or still unknown.
The city has not yet received funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (as of the latest available information), though federal grants are available to help utilities accelerate lead line replacement.
What you can do right now
Your water utility is required to make its lead service line inventory public. You can ask NYC to tell you:
- Whether your building's service line is lead, non-lead, or unknown
- What steps they're taking to identify and replace unknown lines
- Whether they've applied for federal replacement funding
In the meantime, if you're concerned about lead exposure—especially if you have young children—you can have your water tested at home. The EPA and CDC offer guidance on simple testing methods.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility to ask about your building's service line status. Request written confirmation.
- Check the CDC website for information about lead exposure risk and testing options.
- Consider a point-of-use filter certified to reduce lead (NSF Standard 53) while you await the utility's response.
- Have your water tested if your building's service line is unknown or confirmed lead, especially if you have children under 6 or are pregnant.
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 3,067 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Is NYC tap water safe to drink if I have a lead service line?
Lead service lines can leach lead into water, especially if water sits in pipes or the line corrodes. If your line is unknown or confirmed lead, testing your water is the best way to know your actual lead levels. The EPA's action level is 15 ppb; levels above that warrant action.
How do I find out if my building has a lead service line?
Contact the NYC water utility directly and ask about your specific service line. Provide your address. They should have records indicating whether your line is lead, non-lead, or still being classified.
Will NYC replace my lead service line for free?
NYC has not yet announced a universal lead line replacement program or applied for federal replacement funding (as of the latest available data). Contact your utility for information about upcoming programs or assistance.
What does 'unknown' service line mean?
Unknown means the utility hasn't yet confirmed the line's material through testing or inspection. It could be lead, non-lead, or galvanized. You can ask your utility what timeline they have for classifying these lines.