New York, NY · PWSID NY7003493
New York City System lead service lines
124,197 lead or galvanized lines to replace
New York City System reported 120,931 lead and 3,266 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 820,465 in its inventory. That's 15% of all its lines. Another 124,917 (15%) are still listed as unknown material.
Ranks #1 of 490 New York systems with confirmed lead lines, and #3 nationally.
15% of New York City System's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's higher than the New York average (7.6%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 15%
- Galvanized (replace) 0.4%
- Unknown 15%
- Non-lead 70%
Total service lines reported: 820,465. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 8,271,000; 727,058 connections.
Lead test results
New York City System's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (2024) was 10 ppb, below today's 15 ppb action level but above the 10 ppb level that takes effect November 1, 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 124,197 in 2025 Q1 to 124,197 in 2026 Q3: no change. Lines of unknown material went from 124,917 to 124,917, no change.
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations for New York City System since 2015. That covers testing, reporting, corrosion control and public notice requirements; it isn't a guarantee about any individual home.
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
New York City System's main water source is surface water (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). It sells water to 25 other water systems: Cornwall-On-Hudson, Newburgh City, Newburgh Consolidated WD, New Windsor Consolidated WD, Continental Village WD, Brewster Heights, New Paltz (Village) Water Dist, Wallkill/Shawangunk Correction, Bedford Consolidated W.D., Briarcliff Manor Village, Elmsford Village, Greenburgh Consolidated WD #1, Westchester Joint Water Works, Mount Vernon Water Department, New Castle/Stanwood W.D., Veolia Water New York, INC. Rd-1, Sleepy Hollow (Village), Scarsdale Water Department, Tarrytown Water Supply, Yonkers City, Westchester County WD #3, Kensico Water District, High Falls Water District, Westchester County WD #1, Northern Westchester Joint Water Works.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Replacement program
Free for invited homeowners
NYC DEP replaces private lead service lines for free for eligible homeowners in the Bronx and Queens, with Brooklyn planned for 2027. Only owners who receive a letter from DEP can sign up; tenants can't.
- Check eligibility and sign up on DEP's LeadCAST portal.
- If your address isn't listed, it isn't eligible yet.
- Call 311 with questions; tenants should tell their landlord.
Checked November 2026. Sources: nyc.gov, nyc.gov. Programs and funding change, so confirm with the utility. Programs in other cities.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
Official utility link, checked November 2026.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask New York City System whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Bronx County · Lead pipes in Kings County · Lead pipes in New York County · Lead pipes in Queens County · Lead pipes in Richmond County
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside New York City System's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
100011000210003100051000610007100091001010011100121001310014100161001710018100191002010021100221002310024100251002610027100281002910030100311003210033100341003510036100371003810039100401006510069100751010310110101111011210115101191012810152101531015410162101651016710168101691017010171101721017310174
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Questions
Does New York City System have lead pipes?
Yes. New York City System reported 120,931 lead service lines and 3,266 galvanized lines that must be replaced, out of 820,465 total. 124,917 more are of unknown material.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on New York City System's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will New York City System replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has New York City System had lead violations?
EPA's data shows no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for New York City System.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "New York City System lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/ny/new-york-city-system/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.