For decades, Detroit has met or exceeded federal and state drinking water regulations. Gary Brown, Director of DWSD, emphasized this point, stating, “Our drinking water is safe and DWSD has exceeded all the required tests in the past 20 years and more. Last week, we mailed notification letters to more than 200,000 residents and businesses about the type of service line you may have based on our updated records. The letters do not indicate any change in the water quality in the system nor at your property – in fact, quality continues to improve as we replace lead service lines at a rapid pace.”
These annual letters, part of an effort to provide transparency, include information about whether residents’ water service lines are made of galvanized material, lead, or are unknown. Brown addressed concerns about the “unknown” designation, explaining, “The letter stating that a service line material is ‘unknown’ is based on data available to us at this time. We continue to improve our records on a daily basis using mapping technology. We provide instructions on how you can find out whether you have a lead service line or not, and you can provide us that information to update our records.”
To support this initiative, DWSD has launched an interactive service line inventory map, accessible at www.detroitmi.gov/lslr. The map, developed in collaboration with Ann Arbor-based BlueConduit, uses predictive modeling technology to display verified or assumed statuses of residents’ pipe materials. Residents can watch an instructional video to learn how to navigate the map and determine the material of their water service line.
Residents have the ability to verify their service line material themselves using simple tools like a magnet and a penny. Step-by-step guidance is available through an NPR tool, and residents can submit their findings, along with a photo of their pipes, through an online form at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a907177537ac44329b3dc8870b0613f8.
Since 2018, DWSD has replaced 11,335 lead service lines and plans to accelerate its efforts with the help of $90 million in federal funding and an additional $30 million from local bond funds. Prioritizing neighborhoods with higher concentrations of low-income residents, children, and seniors, DWSD is working systematically to replace all 80,000 lead service lines in Detroit over the next decade. This neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach ensures resources are directed where they are most needed. Residents can stay updated on current and upcoming projects by visiting DWSD’s website.
Brown also provided critical context for understanding the situation, noting that lead in water typically comes from older service lines and home plumbing, not the water distribution system. “The water leaving Detroit water treatment plants, operated by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), does not contain lead,” he explained. However, lead can enter drinking water from service lines and household plumbing as water moves from the city’s mains to individual taps. Detroit has not allowed the installation of lead service lines since 1945, but homes built before that year are most likely to have lead pipes connecting them to the water main.
To mitigate the risk of lead contamination, the water provided to Detroit residents includes a corrosion inhibitor, which helps prevent lead from dissolving into the water supply. Brown underscored his confidence in the safety of Detroit’s water by sharing his personal experience. “I’ve lived my entire life in the city of Detroit and have a lead service line at my own home where there is a three-year-old grandson and an 89-year-old mother-in-law. I use the water at my house and have full confidence in the quality.”
This initiative is a direct response to nationwide concerns about lead in drinking water. Communities across the country, not just Detroit, are required to comply with the EPA’s updated regulations under the Lead & Copper Rule. The rule aims to ensure residents are informed and protected while mandating the replacement of outdated infrastructure that could pose health risks. Brown emphasized that DWSD is committed to transparency and ensuring public confidence in Detroit’s water system, saying, “We’re making every effort to communicate clearly and provide the tools necessary for residents to understand their service line material.”
Public engagement plays a critical role in this process. DWSD encourages Detroiters to take an active role in identifying their service line materials and contributing to the department’s records. This collaboration ensures that efforts to replace lead lines are as accurate and effective as possible. Residents can use the online map and resources provided to participate in this citywide effort.
Detroit’s approach to replacing lead service lines demonstrates a commitment to equitable infrastructure improvement. Prioritizing neighborhoods based on income, age of residents, and housing stock reflects an understanding of the communities most vulnerable to potential health risks. By aligning federal funding with local priorities, DWSD is creating a blueprint for addressing lead in water systems that other cities could follow.
The replacement of all 80,000 lead service lines in Detroit will take time, but the accelerated pace of progress shows the city’s dedication to completing this monumental task. Residents who want to learn more or verify their service line material are encouraged to explore the resources available through DWSD’s website and interactive map.
Detroit has faced its share of challenges, but the efforts of DWSD to ensure safe drinking water and modernized infrastructure reflect a city that prioritizes its residents’ health and well-being. Brown’s reassurances and the availability of tools for public engagement underscore the importance of collective action in tackling systemic issues like outdated water systems.
The notifications sent to Detroiters may have caused concern, but they also sparked a necessary conversation about infrastructure, transparency, and public trust. Detroit’s water is safe, and the work being done to replace lead service lines ensures it will remain so for generations to come. This collaborative effort between city officials, community members, and federal partners highlights the strength of a city determined to move forward, one pipe at a time.
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