Thousands of homes and businesses will have their lead service lines replaced in 2022 as Denver Water’s Lead Reduction Program enters its third year.

In 2022, Denver Water will be replacing lead lines in parts of these Denver neighborhoods: Barnum, Barnum West, City Park, Clayton, Congress Park, East Colfax, Elyria-Swansea, Globeville, Park Hill, Skyland and Villa Park. 

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Service line replacements are being completed by contractors hired by Denver Water through the utility’s Lead Reduction Program. 

In addition to the scheduled service line replacements, Denver Water crews also are replacing lead service lines discovered during water main breaks and leaks, as well as those found during construction projects on the utility’s water pipelines throughout Denver Water’s service area. 

Denver Water has developed an interactive map showing where lead service lines are likely to be located.

There is no lead in the water Denver Water delivers to its customers, but lead can get into water when it passes through lead service lines and household plumbing that contain lead. The Lead Reduction Program is reducing the risk of lead exposure in drinking water.

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Service lines are small pipes that carry water from Denver Water’s water mains in the street to homes and businesses. Denver Water owns the water mains while customers own their service lines.

Denver Water is replacing the estimated 64,000 to 84,000 lead service lines at no direct cost to its customers at a rate of around 5,000 service lines each year. The utility estimates it will take until 2035 to replace all the lead lines in its service area. 

The lead pipes will be replaced with lead-free copper pipes. Learn the “Top 10 things to know about Denver Water replacing your lead service line.”

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The Lead Reduction Program began in 2020; more than 10,000 lead service lines had been replaced as of Jan. 1, 2022.

Lead was a commonly used material for water service lines across the U.S. through the mid-1900s and is frequently found in Denver homes built before 1951.

Exposure to lead from drinking water can cause serious health effects, especially to young children.

With thousands of lead service lines in its service area targeted for replacement, Denver Water developed a complex modeling program to tackle the work. 

The model uses about 40 factors, such as where people who are most vulnerable and at risk of lead exposure may live. Underserved neighborhoods and planned construction activities also are taken into account, and schools and child care centers have been prioritized.

The utility plans work areas one year in advance. That’s because construction projects that are outside of Denver Water’s control but also need to be coordinated with service line replacement work have schedules that often change.

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Denver Water also is constantly updating the computer model with new information.

Customers can stay up to date on Denver Water’s pipe-related construction activity by checking the construction map at denverwater.org/Pipes.

Every fall, Denver Water shares on the construction map which neighborhoods will see lead service line replacement work during the following year. 

Customers who don’t want to wait for Denver Water’s crews can choose to hire their own private contractor to replace their lead service line. These customers may be eligible for a reimbursement. Contact Denver Water in advance for more information.  

For more information on Denver Water’s Lead Reduction Program, check out denverwater.org/Lead.