Lead pipes in Wisconsin
Short answer
In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources oversees public water systems' drinking water compliance. Under EPA's LCRI, every system must have a service line inventory by November 1, 2027 and notify affected homes. Your utility runs any replacement program.
- Official sources
- Last checked:
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Verified city programs in Wisconsin
State oversight
Drinking water agency: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Federal deadlines that apply here
- Baseline inventory and compliance date: November 1, 2027 (LCRI explainer)
- Notices within 30 days, then yearly
- Court challenge pending: AWWA v. EPA, No. 24-1376
Federal lead pipe money for Wisconsin
EPA’s current round (fiscal year 2026) gives Wisconsin $94,312,000 from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for lead service line replacement; at least $46,212,880 (49%) must go out as grants or forgivable loans. The state must apply for it by September 30, 2027. (EPA allotment tables, EPA memo.)
How it helps: the state lends or grants this money to water utilities for replacement projects. Residents benefit when their utility uses it, often to replace the private side at low or no cost. You can’t apply as a homeowner; ask your utility whether it has applied.
State fund program page: Wisconsin Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (from EPA’s state contacts list).
How many lead lines?
EPA projects about 193,389 lead or “galvanized requiring replacement” service lines in Wisconsin (179,636 lead and 13,753 galvanized). These are estimates based on the utility inventories states reported. (EPA 7th DWINSA, September 2025 update.)
Wisconsin law on lead lines
- Wis. Stat. § 196.374 (2017 Act 137). Lets water utilities, with a local ordinance and PSC approval, give property owners grants (up to 50% of cost) and/or loans to replace private-side lead lines. (official text)
Last checked . If we couldn’t verify a field from an official source, we left it out.
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates lead pipes in Alabama?
Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Your local water utility runs inventories and replacement.
When must Alabama utilities finish their inventories?
By November 1, 2027 under EPA's LCRI (Federal Register, Oct 30, 2024), subject to the pending AWWA v. EPA case.