Rochester replaces more than 14,400 lead service lines as city marks program milestone

Rochester, New York – Rochester has replaced more than 14,400 lead service lines since launching its dedicated replacement program in 2018, reaching what the city describes as the halfway mark in a long-term effort to protect drinking water and public health.

The work includes 12,781 replacements on the public side of properties and another 1,643 on the private side. City officials say the remaining lead service lines will also be replaced at no cost to property owners.

Rochester’s timetable calls for all remaining replacements to be under contract by 2030, with construction finished by 2032. According to the city, that would put completion five years ahead of the federal deadline.

“Rochester made the decision to address lead service lines years before the federal government required full replacement, because it was the right thing to do for our residents,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “We are replacing these lines at no cost to property owners while keeping water rates affordable for residents. That progress reflects the Water Bureau’s careful planning, responsible management of resources, and commitment to a healthier future for our city. I congratulate our Water Bureau team and the contractors whose hard work is making this possible.”

Read also: Penfield Trails Committee invites walkers to explore Durand Eastman Park on November 14

The city’s work to remove lead pipes began before the formal program existed. Crews had already been removing lead service lines when they came across them during other infrastructure projects. Establishing a dedicated program in 2018 gave Rochester a specific effort focused on replacing those connections.

The first grant awarded specifically for the program came in 2019. Since then, Rochester has secured approximately $150 million from federal, state and local sources to support the replacements. City officials credit that early start with helping Rochester pursue funding and move the work forward.

The latest inventory, dated October 2026, shows both the scale of the completed work and the tasks still ahead. On the public side, 13,789 known lead service lines remain, alongside 389 lines whose material has not yet been identified. Those figures are separate from the 12,781 public-side lines already replaced.

On the private side, the city lists 2,986 known lead service lines still awaiting replacement. Another 14,470 private-side connections have an unknown material, while 1,643 lead lines have been replaced.

The unknown entries remain an important part of the inventory. They are not listed as confirmed lead lines, and the city is continuing to determine their materials while replacing pipes already identified as lead. Identifying those connections will help establish what additional replacement work is needed.

Read also: Rochester announces Halloween events for children and families across the city

Funding for the remaining work depends in part on a future federal award. Rochester says that if it receives the maximum amount available in the fifth year of funding under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it expects to have enough money to replace all remaining lead service lines citywide. That expectation is conditional on the award and does not mean the additional funding has already been secured.

The city points to the health effects of lead exposure as the reason for the program. In children, exposure can affect brain development, learning and behavior. In adults, it can harm the brain and kidneys and increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and other health conditions.

As replacement work continues, Rochester is asking residents to help fill gaps in the inventory by checking and reporting the material of their own service lines. That information supports the ongoing effort to identify pipes and complete the program by the city’s 2032 target.

Residents can learn more about the replacement program and report their pipe type at www.CityofRochester.gov/Lead.