April 29, 2026
Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) officially launched its Lead Service Line Replacement Program on April 29, with the first replacement of a lead water service line on a residential property.
This program, which was developed in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, is a key part of the City’s ongoing efforts to modernize aging infrastructure and protect public health. While Salt Lake City delivers high-quality, lead-free drinking water, older service lines and plumbing materials can still introduce lead into water as it travels into homes.
“Replacing these lead service lines at no cost to the homeowner is one of the most direct ways we can reduce potential exposure and continue delivering safe, reliable water to our community,” said Laura Briefer, Director of SLCDPU. “This work reflects our commitment to investing in infrastructure that serves our customers today and for generations to come.”
The water service line is the pipe that connects the water main in the street to a home. The replacement process includes pre-construction coordination with homeowners, full-service line replacement, typically completed within one day, and post-replacement flushing, sampling, and follow-up support.
This effort is part of a broader, long-term infrastructure investment strategy. As Salt Lake City prepares for future system needs, programs like this demonstrate how water rates are reinvested directly into improving reliability, safety, and service for customers.
“Every dollar invested in our system goes back into maintaining and improving the services people rely on every day,” said Dustin White, Water Quality Manager for SLCDPU. “This program is a clear example of how those investments translate into real, on-the-ground upgrades for our customers.”
The state of Utah has provided $39.5 million in funding that was allocated by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This low interest federal loan includes principal forgiveness of more than $19 million which reduces program costs. Money collected from rates allows us to deliver the full program not just the federally funded pieces. These long-term efforts will serve our entire system, generating large-scale savings for ratepayers.
Our initial efforts are focused on areas of the City that are historically underserved. SLCDPU prioritizes replacements based on factors such as a home’s age, confirmed presence of lead service lines, and households that meet federal assistance criteria.
We currently have identified about 65,000 of the approximate 88,000 water services in our system as non-lead. We have found around 200 lead lines that will be replaced this year. SLCDPU still has around 23,000 lines to identify and we need your help. Residents can learn more about the program, check their service line material, or request information at: www.SLCLeadandCopper.com