Jackson’s drinking water is safe. This program focuses on replacing older pipes as part of long-term infrastructure improvements. The City of Jackson has been proactively replacing lead water service lines for years, even before federal and state regulations required communities to do so. Today, the city is taking an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to identifying and replacing remaining lead service lines throughout the community.

The city conducts regular sampling and testing to ensure our drinking water meets all state and federal safety standards. Replacing lead service lines removes the possibility of lead becoming an issue in the future. The City of Jackson remains fully committed to completing this work and protecting the long-term health of our community.

To accelerate progress, the city replaces lead service lines through three coordinated approaches:

1. Street and Infrastructure Projects - Lead service lines are replaced automatically when water mains or streets are reconstructed. When crews are already working on underground infrastructure, the service line to each home on the project corridor is replaced at the same time. 
2. City of Jackson DPW Crews - Department of Public Works (DPW) employees replace lead service lines as part of ongoing utility maintenance and water system improvements throughout the city.
3. Contracted Replacement Work - Specialized contractors focus exclusively on lead service line replacement, allowing the city to accelerate progress and replace more lines each year.

This multi-pronged strategy allows the city to replace more service lines, more efficiently, and more quickly as part of Jackson’s long-term infrastructure investment.

 Program Progress

Data updated last on 3-11-2025 by the City of Jackson.

Sign Up Early for Free Lead Service Line Replacement

To help speed up this effort, the city is offering free replacement of private lead service lines for eligible homes within the City of Jackson.

Property owners can sign up early by completing the Agreement and Grant of Temporary License for Private Lead Water Service Line Replacement. This agreement allows the city to inspect the service line and schedule replacement if the pipe is confirmed to be lead.

City of Jackson residents who sign up will be contacted by city staff to schedule a verification visit at a time that works for them.

There is no cost to the homeowner, and no special assessments are involved.

Sign-ups are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

What Are Service Lines?

A service line is the pipe that brings water from the water main to the plumbing inside your home. Water mains run underneath the street surface. Service lines connect the water main to every home on the street so residents can access water.

 The service line typically runs:

• From the water main under the street
• Through the parkway and sidewalk
• Across the front yard
• Into the home through a basement or crawl space

Once inside the home, the service line connects to your interior plumbing and water meter.

In Jackson and many communities across the country, lead was the predominant material used for water service lines for decades. Homes built before the 1950s are more likely to have lead service lines.

The diagram below shows where service lines are often located on a property.

Why Cities Across Michigan Are Replacing Lead Service Lines

Lead service lines were widely used across the United States for decades and were once considered a standard material for connecting homes to municipal water systems. Many communities in Michigan still have service lines that were installed before modern plumbing standards changed.

In recent years, Michigan updated its drinking water regulations under the Lead and Copper Rule of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, requiring communities to identify and replace remaining lead service lines over time. Because of this update, cities and towns across Michigan are now working to locate and remove older lead service lines as part of long-term water infrastructure improvements.

The City of Jackson began replacing lead service lines before these requirements were fully implemented and continues to take a proactive approach to removing remaining lead service lines throughout the community.

This statewide effort helps ensure drinking water systems remain safe, modern, and resilient for future generations.

Water Quality in Jackson

Jackson’s water system is regularly tested to ensure it meets strict state and federal drinking water standards.

You can view the city’s annual drinking water reports here:
View Annual Water Quality Report

What to Expect When Lead Service Line Replacement Is Planned for Your Area

When lead service line replacement work is scheduled in your neighborhood, the City of Jackson will make every effort to contact affected property owners in advance.

Residents may be notified through:

• Mailed letters sent to the property address
• Phone calls or email messages when contact information is available
• Door notices left by crews if no one is available when crews visit the property

City employees or city contractors may knock on your door. Employees or contractors of the city will have identification badges or something of that nature. If you receive a notice about service line replacement, please follow up using the contact information provided. Our crews will work with you to schedule the inspection and any necessary replacement at a time that works with your schedule.

The City’s goal is to complete this work efficiently while minimizing disruption to residents and ensuring property owners are informed throughout the process.

Did You Receive a Letter About Lead Service Lines?

Some Jackson residents may receive letters about their water service line material. Every city and township in America is required to send these notifications to any property that receives municipal water service until all the lead service lines are replaced in the City of Jackson. This may also include properties where the lead service lines have already been replaced. These notifications are part of a nationwide effort to educate communities about the risks associated with lead. Which are serious issues, and exactly why the City of Jackson is committed to replacing the lead service lines in our community as efficiently and quickly as possible. 
 
We want to reassure residents that receiving this letter does not mean there is a problem with your drinking water. Jackson’s drinking water meets all state and federal safety standards. If you receive a notice and want to verify if your lead service line needs to be replaced, please feel free to contact our Water Department at (517) 788-4082. 

Maximize Funding to Replace Lead Service Lines

The City of Jackson uses a combination of local, state, and federal funding to make the move forward responsibly and sustainably. 
 
The City of Jackson is committed to replacing lead service lines as quickly and responsibly as possible while minimizing the financial impact on residents.

To support this work, the city uses a combination of local, state, and federal funding sources to move replacement projects forward in a fiscally responsible and sustainable way.

Signing up early for lead service line replacement through the City of Jackson is free for eligible homeowners.

How Replacement Projects Are Funded

1. City of Jackson Water System Investments - A portion of water revenue supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of Jackson’s water infrastructure, including service line replacement. These investments help ensure the water system remains reliable and safe for the entire community.
2. State Revolving Loan Funds (DWSRF) - The city utilizes the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which provides low-interest financing for water infrastructure improvements. These loans are repaid over time through the water system, and some funding includes forgivable federal components, which help reduce long-term costs. 
3. Federal Funding and Grants - The city has also secured American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and other federal grants to accelerate lead service line replacement  

 By combining these funding sources, the city is able to replace more lead service lines each year while keeping the program affordable for the community.