Delaware · population 73,176
Lead pipes in Wilmington, DE
2,377 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Wilmington (population 73,176) gets its water from Wilmington Water Department. That system reported 1,708 lead and 669 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 30,868, with 11,241 more of unknown material.
7.7% of Wilmington Water Department's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, higher than the Delaware average (1.9%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 5.5%
- Galvanized (replace) 2.2%
- Unknown 36%
- Non-lead 56%
Latest lead test for Wilmington Water Department (Jan 2021–Dec 2023): not detected 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 Wilmington Water Department.
Water systems serving Wilmington
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Water DepartmentMain system | 1,708 | 669 | 11,241 | 7.7% |
| Veolia Water Delaware, INCAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 78 | 35,490 | 0.2% |
| Artesian Water CompanyServes nearby areas | 148 | 374 | 29,413 | 0.6% |
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 Wilmington
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Wilmington Water Department'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
- Bellefonte78 lead + galv. lines
- Elsmere522 lead + galv. lines
- New Castle19 lead + galv. lines
- Delaware17 lead + galv. lines
- Newark1 lead + galv. lines
- Middletown35 lead + galv. lines
- Townsend522 lead + galv. lines
- Smyrna9 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Wilmington, DE have lead pipes?
Yes. Wilmington Water Department, which serves Wilmington, reported 1,708 lead and 669 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 11,241 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Wilmington?
EPA's service area maps place most of Wilmington in Wilmington Water Department's service area (PWSID DE0000663). Veolia Water Delaware, INC, Artesian Water Company also serve parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Wilmington home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Wilmington Water Department'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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington Water Department whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.