Detroit water department speeds up lead service line replacement with $90M in grants
The funding allows the department to boost their efforts to replacing at minimum 8,000 lead lines a year.
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department manhole cover.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has received $90 million to accelerate its lead line replacement project.
Thanks to the funds, the city can now replace up to 8,000 lead service lines a year, both public and private.
Listen: Detroit water department receives $90M in grants to replace lead service lines
The acceleration is possible through state and federal dollars. The department received $75 million from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) using the American Rescue Plan Act money, $10 million from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and $5 million from the Environment Protection Agency.
DWSD is currently upgrading 20 neighborhoods, replacing over 200 lines per week. Director Gary Brown says the city is on track to have all lead lines replaced by the federal mandated deadline of 2035.
Brown estimates there are about 80,000 lines that still need to be replaced — and about 20,000 that have not yet been identified. You can learn more about the Lead Service Line Replacement Program at their official website.
Brown spoke to WDET about the water lines replacement process. Listen to the interview using the media player at the top.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says while testing shows Detroit’s drinking water is safe, replacing the lines is a priority before the pipes begin to deteriorate and cause problems.
The city has replaced 9,500 lines since 2018 — 5,000 were replaced in 2024.
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