Michigan · population 645,705
Lead pipes in Detroit, MI
80,715 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Detroit (population 645,705) gets its water from City of Detroit. That system reported 80,595 lead and 120 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 251,531, with 39,073 more of unknown material.
32% of City of Detroit's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, higher than the Michigan average (9.8%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 32%
- Galvanized (replace) <0.1%
- Unknown 16%
- Non-lead 52%
Latest lead test for City of Detroit (2025): 7.5 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 City of Detroit.
Water systems serving Detroit
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of DetroitMain system | 80,595 | 120 | 39,073 | 32% |
| Highland ParkServes nearby areas | 2,828 | 0 | 0 | 80% |
| HamtramckServes nearby areas | 793 | 41 | 4,551 | 13% |
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.
Replacement program
Free, block by block
DWSD replaces lead service lines with copper at no cost to residents, with the owner's or occupant's permission, as it replaces water mains block by block. DWSD contacts residents before work reaches their neighborhood.
- Check your address on DWSD's service line map.
- Sign the permission form when DWSD contacts you.
- Call DWSD at 313-267-8000 with questions.
Checked November 2026. Sources: detroitmi.gov. Programs and funding change, so confirm with the utility. Programs in other cities.
Check your address in Detroit
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on City of Detroit'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
- Highland Park2,828 lead + galv. lines
- Hamtramck834 lead + galv. lines
- Hazel Park568 lead + galv. lines
- Ferndale667 lead + galv. lines
- Pleasant Ridge646 lead + galv. lines
- Oak Park1,243 unknown
- Dearborn5,271 lead + galv. lines
- River Rouge155 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Detroit, MI have lead pipes?
Yes. City of Detroit, which serves Detroit, reported 80,595 lead and 120 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 39,073 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Detroit?
EPA's service area maps place most of Detroit in City of Detroit's service area (PWSID MI0001800). Highland Park, Hamtramck also serve parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Detroit home has a lead service line?
Search your address on City of Detroit'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 Detroit 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 City of Detroit whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.