In an effort to align with a national push to eradicate lead from drinking water, Baltimore County residents are being offered a shot at free lead water line replacements. According to Fox Baltimore, the Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPWT) is calling on citizens to identify the presence of lead through a self-reporting protocol by March 31, 2026, to be eligible.
Tests to determine the safety of water service lines in residents' homes consist of a scratch and magnet test, which must be photographed and submitted for inspection. The county assures that, despite early data indicating a low probability of lead being found, for confirmed cases of lead presence, DPWT will cover all costs of the replacement. This initiative is supported by the DPWT's capital improvement project budget. The department is making efforts to ease the process with available video tutorials for locating water service lines, as reported by NottinghamMD.
Residents who are uncertain about their ability to complete the survey or require additional support can reach out to the DPWT’s Lead Reduction Program via phone or email. A dedicated map has been rolled out to help locals determine if the self-reporting survey is necessary for their property.
