Lead Pipe Replacement Efforts Face Challenges as Many Water Systems Lack Inventory

Thousands of water systems nationwide still don't know if their pipes contain lead, leaving residents in the dark about potential health risks.

Editorial Desk

September 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Chicago, United States — Thousands of public water systems across the United States are struggling to identify and replace lead service lines, despite a federal deadline to complete inventories by October 2024. The lack of accurate records has left many residents uncertain about the safety of their drinking water.

Kathryn Pilgrim, a resident of Dunkirk, New York, is one of many who remain unsure if her tap water is free from lead. Despite replacing suspected lead pipes and installing a filter, she still lacks confirmation due to the city’s delayed inventory process. Dunkirk is among over 1,300 water systems cited by the EPA for failing to meet the deadline.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has emphasized the importance of these inventories, which are critical for identifying and replacing lead lines by a 2027 deadline. However, many small systems, including housing developments and schools, have yet to submit required data. Officials say the lack of records has made it difficult to determine the extent of lead exposure risk.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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