Explore key topics related to lead plumbing infrastructure, public health guidance, replacement programs, and safe drinking water awareness for older homes and city buildings.
Older cities often contain complex plumbing systems built across many decades. Historic apartment buildings, brownstones, row homes, and older mixed-use properties may still have unknown service line materials or older plumbing components. Educational resources can help residents understand how lead service lines were used, why some remain in place, and how local infrastructure history may affect individual properties.
Learn MorePublic health agencies emphasize reducing lead exposure wherever possible, especially for children and pregnant women. Lead can affect health even when water looks, tastes, and smells normal. Guidance from health agencies can help residents understand possible exposure sources, when testing may be useful, and what protective steps may be considered when lead is detected in drinking water.
View GuidanceMany cities and water utilities now provide service line inventories, public maps, replacement programs, and customer notices. These tools may help homeowners and tenants check whether a property is listed as lead, non-lead, galvanized, or unknown. Replacement programs can also explain timelines, eligibility, funding support, and how full lead service line replacement is handled.
Drinking water safety resources can help residents understand testing, filtration, flushing guidance, corrosion control, and local water quality reports. For older buildings, these resources are especially useful when plumbing materials are unknown. Learning how water travels from the municipal main to the tap can help residents make informed decisions about testing and prevention.
Read Resources