Delaware · population 6,234
Lead pipes in Elsmere, DE
522 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Elsmere (population 6,234) gets its water from Artesian Water Company. That system reported 148 lead and 374 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 85,347, with 29,413 more of unknown material.
0.6% of Artesian Water Company's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Delaware average (1.9%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0.2%
- Galvanized (replace) 0.4%
- Unknown 34%
- Non-lead 65%
Latest lead test for Artesian Water Company (Jan 2024–Dec 2026): 1 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Artesian Water Company.
Water systems serving Elsmere
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artesian Water CompanyMain system | 148 | 374 | 29,413 | 0.6% |
| Wilmington Water DepartmentServes nearby areas | 1,708 | 669 | 11,241 | 7.7% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Elsmere
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Artesian Water Company's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Wilmington2,377 lead + galv. lines
- New Castle19 lead + galv. lines
- Bellefonte78 lead + galv. lines
- Newark1 lead + galv. lines
- Delaware17 lead + galv. lines
- Middletown35 lead + galv. lines
- Townsend522 lead + galv. lines
- Smyrna9 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Elsmere, DE have lead pipes?
Yes. Artesian Water Company, which serves Elsmere, reported 148 lead and 374 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 29,413 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Elsmere?
EPA's service area maps place most of Elsmere in Artesian Water Company's service area (PWSID DE0000552). Wilmington Water Department also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Elsmere home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Artesian Water Company's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Elsmere be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Artesian Water Company whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.