Lead Service Line Replacement

On October 8, 2024, the federal government announced a new rule, called the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which sets stricter standards for water systems across the country. This new rule gives communities 10 years to identify and replace lead pipes and introduces tougher testing requirements to keep drinking water safe.

This work must be completed by 2037.

It is the pipe that brings the water into your home. It can be made out of copper, lead, galvanized steel, or plastic. It also only connects directly to the individual home and is NOT a reflection of the entire public water distribution system.

Lead piping was commonly used in water service lines in communities across the United States for decades due to its durability, flexibility, and corrosion-resistant properties. From the late 1800s until the mid-20th century, lead pipes were seen as the best material for delivering water because they were less likely to leak or crack under pressure compared to alternatives like iron or steel.

At the time, the health risks associated with lead exposure were not well understood. It wasn’t until much later, in the 1970s and 1980s, that the medical community and regulators began to fully recognize the serious health impacts of lead, especially on children and vulnerable populations. Lead exposure can cause developmental delays, neurological damage, and other severe health problems.

Federal regulations, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Lead and Copper Rule, eventually prohibited the use of lead in new plumbing installations. However, many older systems, including some in our community, still contain legacy lead pipes that need to be identified and replaced to ensure safe, lead-free drinking water for all residents.

Before 2037. Our specific action plan is continually changing based on funding and needs. All residents will receive a letter in the mail prior to any work beginning in your neighborhood. You can come back to this page for updates throughout the years.

You can also head to our upcoming road + utility project page for projects that are happening now or are scheduled to start soon.

Homeowners will not receive a bill for this work. The project costs are covered through water system fees, specifically the “Lead Service Line Fee” which is a line item on your regular water bill.

• The average service line replacement per home is $6,000
• The estimate for replacing all lines across the city is over $60 million.

All service lines are connected to the water mains and are considered by the state to be integral to the water system. Therefore all system users must share in the cost.

Not necessarily. You might have lead in your drinking water if your service line, household plumbing or fixtures contain lead. Lead test strips that test for the presence of lead in plumbing are available at hardware stores. 
 
Homes built before 1930 are more likely to have lead plumbing systems. Lead pipes are dull grey color and scratch easily revealing a shiny surface. If your house was built before February 1987, you are more likely to have lead-soldered joints on copper piping. Lead solder is a silver or grey color. If you do, the chance of the lead leaching into your drinking water is greater when water has been standing in the pipes for many hours or overnight.

Learn more about the City of Muskegon Water Filtration Plant and testing process here. 

The City of Muskegon regularly tests and monitors our drinking water, and the results have always shown that it’s safe to drink. Lead levels have never been high enough to require any action. In our 2023 water report, lead levels in 90% of our tests were at or below 5 parts per billion (ppb), which is far below the action level of 15 ppb