The state of Ohio has the second-highest number of lead pipes per capita in the country, ranking only behind Wisconsin. Across the state, around 650,000 lead pipes bring lead-poisoned water into people’s homes. This is a significant public health issue because lead is known to cause a multitude of serious (even fatal) health problems.
If you live in Ohio and your home was built before 1986—when Congress made the installation of lead pipes illegal through the Safe Drinking Water Act—then you and your family may be drinking and cooking with unsafe tap water. The only permanent solution to this problem is to replace your home’s lead pipes and lead water service line.
While an intensive plumbing project like this usually costs thousands of dollars, there are several programs implemented by Ohio cities to make lead line replacement more affordable. Keep reading to learn more about lead pipes, why you should replace them, how much Ohioan homeowners pay to do so, and what government programs are available to help defray costs.
Key takeaways
Replacing a lead service line in Ohio typically costs between $1,326 and $3,808, though the exact costs will depend on the line length and the city you live in.
No level of lead is safe for consumption. Even trace amounts of lead can lead to cardiovascular issues, brain damage, cancer, and other illnesses.
Multiple city programs are available throughout Ohio cities to help homeowners pay for lead service line replacement.
Lead pipe replacement project costs in Ohio
Replacing the service line that connects your home’s water system to the city’s water main typically costs between $1,326 and $3,808 in Ohio (not including permit fees). However, costs aren’t the same in every city, and the length of your service line can also affect the price tag.
Similarly, the costs to replace all the lead pipes inside a home can vary depending on the amount of lead in the pipes. A complete overhaul of the entire plumbing system can cost up to $12,000, though many people pay less.
Unfortunately, the only way to know exactly how much replacing all the lead in your water system will cost is to get a quote from a local plumber who has inspected your pipes. The table below can give you an idea of how much lead service line replacement will likely cost in your city.
What lead service line replacement costs in different Ohio cities
City | Average price range |
Cleveland | $1,465–$3,808 |
Columbus | $1,434–$3,728 |
Lima | $1,326–$3,447 |
Cincinnati | $1,387–$3,607 |
Dayton | $1,388–$3,607 |
Springfield | $1,357–$3,527 |
Athens | $1,356–$3,527 |
How to tell if there are lead pipes in your home
As we mentioned, lead pipes are only found in homes built before 1986, so if your Ohio home is newer than that, you’re probably in the clear. Additionally, some Ohio cities outlawed lead pipe installation before 1986, so check your own city’s laws for a precise timeline. If your home was built before lead pipes were banned in your region, and you know the plumbing has never been updated, you could very well be at risk of lead exposure.
Here are a few methods for determining if pipes are made of lead:
Call your city government to check their records about your home’s water service line. They should be able to tell you whether it is made of lead or not.
Take a close look at every pipe in your home. If a pipe is made from a dark gray metal, try sticking a magnet to it. If the magnet falls off, that pipe is made of lead.
Get your tap water tested for lead. Contact the Ohio Public Utilities Commission to schedule a test.
If you find a single lead pipe in your home’s water system or discover lead in your drinking water, you should immediately contact a plumber and switch to drinking and cooking with bottled water until your plumbing is updated.
Why you should replace lead pipes
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no safe amount of lead exposure. Lead is a heavy metal that accumulates in a body over time, so even a little lead consumption can lead to lead poisoning, which has many adverse health effects. These include cardiovascular defects, kidney failure, cancer, and brain damage.
Illnesses caused by lead exposure are more pronounced in people exposed to lead as children, but adults should still take exposure very seriously.
Bottom line: it’s imperative for your family’s well-being that you get any lead pipes in your water system replaced as soon as you notice them.
Ohio programs for lead service line replacement
The EPA recently secured over $180 million, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to help the Ohio EPA identify and replace lead pipes, though it’s still unclear how and when all of this money will be distributed and used. In the meantime, several service line replacement programs can help cover the costs of replacing your service line depending on where in Ohio you live.
If a program for your city isn’t listed below, contact your city government to ask if any lead service line replacement programs are available for your home.
Columbus lead service line replacement program
Starting in 2025, the city of Columbus will replace all residential lead service lines in the city at no cost to homeowners. This program will prioritize underserved communities and will only cover 100 percent of the replacement costs as long as funding is available.
If your service line is eligible, the city will contact you to schedule your replacement, but you can also contact the city for more information.
Greater Cincinnati Water Works lead service line replacement program
Greater Cincinnati Water Works is covering 100 percent of the replacement costs for eligible lead service lines in the water distribution system. However, this program is still in the developmental phase and hasn’t started widespread residential replacements. Contact the city for more information.
Cincinnati residents can also request lead test kits from the city.
Springfield lead service line replacement assistance program
The city of Springfield will cover up to 50 percent of the project costs for a residential lead service line replacement, though it will only cover a maximum of $1,500. To learn more about this program, call 937-525-5800.
Toledo lead service line replacement program
The city of Toledo has begun replacing all of the lead service lines in the public water system at no cost to property owners. You need to register for the program to get the ball rolling for your own free replacement.
Replacing lead pipes in Ohio
You’re now up to speed about the dangers of lead pipes, how much replacement can cost, and what programs can help you pay for the project. The next step is to get your system inspected by a local plumber and discuss your options.
Ohio lead pipe replacement FAQ
Yes, lead water pipes bleed lead particles into tap water, which can cause lead exposure if the water is consumed. Lead exposure can result in serious health issues like hypertension, brain damage, and cancer. Furthermore, no lead level is without risk, so you should improve your household’s water quality by replacing any lead pipes in your home as soon as you notice them.
While bans on using lead pipes were implemented at different times in different places, a nationwide ban wasn’t implemented until 1986, when the U.S. Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, old lead pipes weren’t removed as part of this ban, so an old home with all its original pipes and service lines may still contain lead plumbing.
As clean water sits in and passes through lead pipes, it leaches lead particles out of the pipes. This means that water that has passed through a lead pipe contains trace amounts of lead. When consumed, lead-contaminated water leaves the heavy metal in the consumer’s body, where it accumulates over time. Unaddressed, even a small amount of lead exposure like this can cause serious health problems, and the EPA has determined that no amount of lead exposure is safe. This is true even of water that has been treated at a water treatment facility.
Joe is a home improvement expert and content specialist for Fixr.com. He’s been writing home services content for over eight years, leveraging his research and composition skills to produce consumer-minded articles that demystify everything from moving to remodeling. His work has been sourced by various news sources and business journals, including Nasdaq.com and USA Today. When he isn’t writing about home improvement or climate issues, Joe can be found in bookstores and record shops.