Homeowner guide · Water lines
Lead and galvanized water service lines: Aqua’s no-cost replacement
If Aqua Pennsylvania is your water company and your service line turns out to be lead or galvanized steel, Aqua says it will replace the line at no direct cost to you. Here is how to check your line, what the program covers, and what to expect afterward.
Key takeaways
The short version
- The service line has two parts: Aqua’s, from the main to the curb, and yours, from the curb to the house.
- Your portion is visible where the line enters the home near the water meter.
- Aqua says it will replace lead or galvanized customer lines at no direct cost.
- After replacement, Aqua says it will ask to sample your water within 3 to 6 months.
- A PUC-approved program aims to replace all identified lead lines by December 31, 2034.
Which part of the line is yours
Aqua describes the service line in two parts: a company-owned portion from the main to the curb line, and a customer-owned portion from the curb to your house. Property owners are typically responsible for maintaining and replacing their portion (Aqua Pennsylvania).
Our guide Aqua vs. homeowner: who fixes the water line? covers repairs. This guide covers the lead and galvanized replacement program.
How to find out what your line is made of
- Look where the line enters the house near the water meter. Aqua says the customer-owned portion is visible there.
- Check Aqua’s customer service line material map to see whether your material is already recorded.
- If the map shows “unknown,” Aqua offers a short video on identifying the material yourself.
Source: Aqua Pennsylvania. If you are not sure what you are looking at, a plumber can identify the pipe material during a routine visit.
What Aqua says it will do
Replacement
If your service line is lead or galvanized steel, Aqua says it will replace it at no direct cost to you.
Filters
Aqua says it provides pitcher filters to protect against lead for six months after a line is disturbed.
Water sampling
Aqua says it will ask to sample your water 3 to 6 months after the replacement, with instructions for the sampling materials.
Schedule
Aqua says replacements are being completed in locational phases, and it gives no specific date for any one street.
Source: Aqua Pennsylvania.
How big the program is
In a news release, Aqua said it had surveyed the materials of 71,239 customer service lines and completed lead and galvanized replacements at 2,523 homes and businesses since starting the work in 2024. It also reported $5.6 million in PENNVEST loans and principal forgiveness loans since 2023 (Aqua news release).
MyChesCo reported that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved Aqua’s program with a goal of replacing all identified lead service lines by December 31, 2034, covering both the company-owned and customer-owned portions. The program is tied to Pennsylvania’s Act 120 of 2018 (MyChesCo).
Not sure Aqua is your water company?
Check your water bill. This guide applies only to homes Aqua Pennsylvania serves. We did not find a list of Aqua service streets in Tredyffrin or Easttown, so confirm with Aqua directly.
When to call
Not sure what your service line is made of?
We can identify the pipe at your meter and check the rest of your plumbing for galvanized pipe. We work in Wayne, Strafford, Paoli, Chesterbrook, Berwyn and Devon. Call (610) 788-0042.
Frequently asked questions
Service line questions
Answers by John, Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber.
Will Aqua replace my lead service line for free?
Aqua says that if your service line is lead or galvanized steel, it will replace it at no direct cost to you.
Where can I see my water service line?
Aqua says the customer-owned portion is visible where the line enters the home near the water meter.
Does Aqua replace galvanized lines too?
Yes. Aqua says it replaces customer service lines identified as lead or galvanized steel.
What happens after my service line is replaced?
Aqua says it provides pitcher filters for six months after the line is disturbed and will ask to sample your water 3 to 6 months after replacement.
When will all lead service lines be replaced?
MyChesCo reported that the PUC-approved program aims to replace all identified lead service lines by December 31, 2034.
When will my street be done?
Not found. Aqua says replacements are completed in locational phases but gives no street-by-street schedule.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Every figure and rule in this guide comes from the public sources below. Rules and fees can change, so confirm with the source before you act.
Keep reading
Related services and guides
Who fixes the water line
Aqua vs. homeowner.
Water line plumbing
Service line repair and replacement.
Hidden water leaks
The 2-hour meter test.
Hard water in T/E
What it does to pipes.
Our service area
Plumbing across Tredyffrin Township, PA
Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber serves every neighborhood in Tredyffrin Township, including Wayne, Strafford, Chesterbrook, Paoli, Berwyn, Devon, Daylesford, and Howellville, plus neighboring Easttown Township. Our office is at 217 Conestoga Rd, Suite 10, Wayne, PA 19087.
