Frequently Asked Questions

The City is targeting to replace approximately 100 lead services each year. There is an ongoing, grant funded, verification project taking place throughout the City to verify the service material at the stop box, as well as within the home, to increase the likelihood of potential funding opportunities for replacement. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to give a timeline in which the service at your home will be replaced.

Since having lead in your drinking water is directly related to when your home was built, the service line and interior plumbing materials, it's important to understand:

What sources of lead are in your home

How lead gets into drinking water

How you can reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water

We encourage you to schedule a verification time with a member of the City DPW to determine what type of service line you have. To schedule a 30-minute appointment call (313)881-4838. You may also visit EGLE’s List of Certified Laboratories for information on water testing.

• The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore, if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes.
• Additional flushing may be required for homes that have been vacant or have a longer service line.
• If you do not have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature. 
• If you do have a lead service line, run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from your home of building’s plumbing and the lead service line.
• In addition to flushing, consider cleaning your faucet aerator to remove trapped debris.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends that Michigan households use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 standard) if your home has or if you are uncertain if it has a source of lead, such as one of the following: 

1. Lead or galvanized plumbing. 
2. A lead service line carrying water from the street to their residence. 
3. Copper plumbing with lead solder before 1988 (EGLE recommendation).  
4. Old faucets and fittings that were sold before 2014. 
5. Use the filter until you are able to remove sources of household lead plumbing, such as: 
   • Replace pre-2014 faucets
   • Get a lead inspection and replace needed plumbing.
   • Filter Information

You can purchase one at any hardware or big box store (Meijer, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc).  Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction. If this information is not on the box, look at the information inside the box (fine print on a folded piece of paper). Learn more about choosing a lead water filter. For filters to work properly, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance.

Keep in mind that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead exposure. Because lead can be found in air, soil, and paint, contact the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services at (313) 224-0810 or your family doctor or pediatrician, for more information.

Running you water to flush out lead does not mean you need to let the water run down the drain. You can use your water by doing laundry, watering house plants, or using the shower or toilet to flush the lead-containing water from your service line.