Lead and Copper Rule

The City of Ann Arbor continues to meet all state and federal drinking water standards. As required by Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule, we are identifying the material of every water service line in the system. A service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to the water main in the street. 

We need your help to complete the remaining inspections. To look up your address use the search function on the Water Service Line Material Dashboard and Map, then zoom in until the circle associated with your address is visible. ​Click on the circle to see the service line materials for the public side (city water main) and the private side (connects your home or business to the water main).

If the circle isn't completely filled in, your line has not been inspected.

• To schedule an inspection, email leadandcopper@a2gov.org or call 734.794.6350 ext. 43324
• Or submit clear photos of your service line where it enters your home and connects to the
  water meter (include threads or solder at the connection point).
  

Current status (as of December 31, 2025):

• 0 lead service lines
• 0 service lines of unknown material
  
• 25,633 total service lines in the system
• 96% of service lines verified
• 911 service lines still need inspection
• 551 service lines replaced through the city program 

What happens next if your service line is eligible for replacement? 

If your service line qualifies for replacement under state rules, the City will contact you by mail. If you
do not receive a letter, your service line has never been connected to lead piping and is not eligible for
replacement. Replacements are coordinated with water main and road projects to reduce disruptions. Leaking service lines will be replaced as they are discovered.

Why should I care about lead?  

The City of Ann Arbor has no known homes with lead service lines, but some of our customers do have lead components to their internal plumbing. Homes with copper plumbing installed before 1988 are most likely to have lead solder. Faucets, fittings, or valves sold before 2014 may have a higher lead content than newer plumbing materials. The City of Ann Arbor offers one free lead and copper test per household.  

Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula fed and breastfed), and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and parts used in service lines and in home plumbing. City of Ann Arbor is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing in your home. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Using a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead, is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. 

Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Before using tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. If you have a lead service line or galvanized requiring replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact City of Ann Arbor for available resources online, call 734.794.6320 or email water@a2gov.org. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Environmental Protection Agency's SafeWater website.   

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.