Minneapolis Public Works Alerts Residents to Lead Water Service Lines, Offers Free Replacement
Minneapolis Public Works is issuing annual notifications to residents about lead water service lines, as many older homes still contain them. The city is actively working on replacing these lines for free using state and federal funding, aiming for completion…
Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, October 2, 2026 —
Minneapolis Public Works is continuing its annual outreach to residents regarding the presence of lead water service lines in older homes across the city. Many homes built before 1986 may still have these lines, which can pose a risk to public health if lead leaches into drinking water.
The city has initiated a program to replace these lead service lines at no cost to property owners. This effort is funded through a combination of state and federal resources. Minneapolis Public Works has set a target to complete the replacement of all lead service lines by the year 2033. However, the department has indicated that future funding availability may present challenges to meeting this ambitious timeline.
To address potential exposure concerns while replacements are underway, the city has implemented measures including specific water treatment protocols and the provision of water testing kits to residents. These resources are intended to help mitigate risks associated with lead in drinking water.
Residents are encouraged to consult notifications from Minneapolis Public Works for specific information pertaining to their properties. The ongoing replacement program aims to ensure safer drinking water for the city’s inhabitants by systematically removing lead service lines. The contractor responsible for the work was not specified in the notifications. The total number of lead service lines requiring replacement was also not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Claire Carlson on www.minnpost.com, see more information here.
