Lead Service Line Replacement Project

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has passed a ruling that mandates water systems across the country replace lead service lines by 2037 or later if an extension is granted. As part of this ruling, the Village is also required to send notification to residents annually. This ruling aims to significantly reduce lead exposure, which is associated with various health and developmental issues.

The Village of Whitefish Bay is committed to replacing all lead service lines in compliance with federal regulations. Although we are currently ineligible for federal grant funding, which is being targeted at disadvantaged communities, we will continue to work to identify the best financing options possible to fund the replacement of all lead service lines over the next decade.

In 2026, the Village Board adopted the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which includes replacing one mile of aging water main and the associated lead service lines annually.

Whitefish Bay Lead Line Inventory

The Village of Whitefish Bay developed an initial inventory of every service line based on the best data we had and has since been updating this inventory based on photos and feedback provided by residents. If you believe your service line material was incorrectly identified, or you want a second opinion, please email a photo of your service line where it connects to the water meter to leadquestions@whitefishbaywi.gov.

Click here to view the Lead Line Inventory.

Click here to report the material identified in the Lead Line Inventory is incorrect.

There are two sections of every lateral. The service line material may be different for these two sections so be sure to look at both columns in the inventory spreadsheet.

Village Side: This section from the water main to the curb stop is owned by the Village.
Private Side: This section from the curb stop to the home is owned by the resident.

Identify If Your Lateral is Lead

1. Lead Pipes

A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe
Scratch the pipe with a penny, if the scraped area is shiny silver and flakes off, the service line is lead

2. Copper Pipes

A magnet will not stick to copper
Scratch the pipe with a penny, if the scrapped area is copper in color, like a penny, your service line is copper

3. Galvanized Steel Pipe

If a magnet sticks to the surface, your service line is galvanized steel.
A scratch test is not needed. If you scratch the pipe, it will remain a dull gray.

Verify Your Service Line

If the "Property Side Service Line Material (Owned by Resident)" is listed as "Unknown-May Contain Lead Or Galvanized" in the inventory, please email a photo of your service line where it connects to the water meter to leadquestions@whitefishbaywi.gov. If you have questions contact our office at (414) 962-6690 or email leadquestions@whitefishbaywi.gov.

Sources of Lead in Drinking Water

Our water is lead-free when it leaves the treatment plant and none of Whitefish Bay’s water mains are made of lead. Lead exposure from drinking water occurs when water has prolonged contact with lead materials and components which may be present in water service lines or home plumbing.

The North Shore's public water systems are treated with orthophosphate to reduce the risk of lead leaching into the water. This compound forms a protective coating inside pipes and is considered to be the best practice for control of lead in drinking water.

The Village of Whitefish Bay and the North Shore Water Commission continue to comply with Federal and State safe drinking water regulations. Our lead sampling, which includes sampling at homes in Whitefish Bay, has not exceeded the lead action level since 1996 when the North Shore Water Commission started using orthophosphate.

Health Effects of Lead

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 worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems.

Steps to Reduce the Risk of Lead in Your Drinking Water

1. Use an NSF 53 certified filter for drinking and cooking water. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit the EPA’s website here.

2. If not using a filter, flush cold water for three minutes before drinking or cooking. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home.

3. Regularly clean faucet aerators by unscrewing and rinsing the screen inside the faucet. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.

4. Drink and cook with cold tap water. Hot tap water can dissolve more lead quickly. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.

5. Learn about construction in your neighborhood. If you have a lead service line, you should be aware of any nearby construction or maintenance work that could disturb the line. Ground tremors from construction may suddenly cause more lead to be released from lead service lines in the area.

Water Testing

If you'd like to test the water at your home for traces of lead, you can:

Pick up a test kit at Village Hall (5300 N Marlborough Dr). The cost is $36 to receive the lab results. Click here for more details on how to read your test results.
Contact another certified laboratory to have your water tested for lead.
- Northern Lake Service, www.nlslab.com, (262) 547-3406
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, www.slh.wisc.edu, 1-800-442-4618
- Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, please click here.

Lead Service Line Replacement Plan

The Village of Whitefish Bay has already began replacing lead services in the Village. The EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements requires that all remaining lead service lines must be replaced by 2037, or later if an extension is granted. In 2026, the Village Board adopted the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which includes replacing one mile of aging water main and the associated lead service lines annually.

The Village of Whitefish Bay completes a water and street analysis annually to determine the focus area for water main, lead service line, and mill and overlay programs. This analysis weights road condition factors such as road condition ratings, average daily traffic, and age as well as water infrastructure condition factors such as water main breaks, material, and age. This methodology was presented to the Public Works Committee on January 12, 2026. To view the presentation, please click here.

Federal and State Funding

The Village of Whitefish Bay has participated in Wisconsin’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to receive low interest loans to support public water utility projects; however, principal costs must still be paid by the Village. The Village plans to apply for these funds again in 2026 for the planned 2027 project.

The Village is currently not eligible for federal or state principal forgiveness loans or other similar grants related to lead service lines. These programs are being targeted at small, underserved, and disadvantaged communities and census tracts.

Project Cost

The Village side of the service line, water main to curb stop, and necessary water main improvements will be paid for by the water utility through debt issuances. There will be an impact to water rates as a result of this mandate.

The replacement of the private side of the service line is the responsibility of the homeowner. We are currently estimating this to cost approximately $8,000 per service line replacement; however, this is just an estimate.

The Village will work to gain economies of scale and efficiencies by coordinating the replacement of the private and Village service lines.

Post-Lead Pipe Replacement Instructions

Click here for steps to take after a new pipe is installed.

Financing Options

Although we are currently ineligible for principal forgiveness and other similar grant funding, which is targeted at disadvantaged communities, we will continue to work to identify the best financing options possible to fund the replacement of all lead service lines over the next decade.

If you would like to replace your lead service line sooner (curb stop to house), notify us at leadquestions@whitefishbaywi.gov so we can coordinate the Village side replacement at the same time.