Water Line Rules

State guide

Michigan

Michigan has unusually strong statewide lead-line rules. Official state pages say water supplies are responsible for removing the entire lead service line from the main to the home including all costs, and Michigan bans partial lead service line replacement except for emergency repair situations.

Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Who usually owns the water service line
For lead service lines, Michigan’s official FAQ says the water supply is responsible for removing the entire line from the main to the home including all costs; city maintenance pages reviewed still commonly use a curb-stop split for non-lead private-side responsibility.
State drinking water program
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Community Water Supply Program
State lead service line page
Official page →
Permits for repair or replacement
Official state pages reviewed did not show one single statewide homeowner permit rule for every city, but Detroit says private-side repairs require a licensed plumber and the proper city permit.
Assistance programs
Michigan’s lead rule places full lead-line replacement costs on the water supply, and additional official help includes Detroit’s no-cost lead-line replacement program, Grand Rapids’ Third Ward lead-reduction kits, and Mi Lead Safe filter programs.

Official resources in Michigan

EGLE Community Water Supply Program

Michigan’s official state drinking water program page with rules, permits, staff contacts, and lead-and-copper resources.

EGLE Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

Official EGLE lead and copper page linking to service-line replacement guidance and public advisories.

Mi Lead Safe FAQ

State FAQ explaining current lead service line responsibilities, timing, and lead-related help programs.

Detroit DWSD Water and Sewer Maintenance/Emergencies

Detroit’s official responsibility page showing the curb-stop split and permit requirement for private-side repairs.

Grand Rapids Lead in Drinking Water

Grand Rapids’ official lead page with replacement planning and the Third Ward Lead Reduction Program.

Key facts for Michigan

Utility water service line rules in Michigan

UtilitycityphoneDetails
EGLE Community Water Supply Program
Ingham		LansingNot published*State drinking water program overseeing community public water supplies, drinking water permits, and lead-and-copper compliance.
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Water and Sewer Maintenance/Emergencies
Wayne		DetroitNot published*States DWSD responsibility ends at the curbstop and the owner is responsible from the curbstop to inside the home or business; report suspected leaks here.
Detroit DWSD Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Wayne		DetroitNot published*Official Detroit lead-line replacement program page for neighborhood and project-based no-cost replacement work.
Grand Rapids Water System
Kent		Grand Rapids311 or 616-456-3000City lead page includes replacement planning and the Third Ward Lead Reduction Program with free lead-reducing kits and education.
Lansing Board of Water & Light Water Resource Center
Ingham		Lansing517-702-6136BWL’s water page for lead information and water quality; BWL says it removed all known active lead service lines and GRRs.
Mi Lead Safe Faucet and Filter Safety Net ProgramNot published*844-934-1315State program that can provide certified lead-reducing filter support for eligible households.

* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.

What to do next

  1. If your utility classifies your service line as lead or unknown, ask for its replacement timetable and whether state rule makes the utility responsible for full replacement.
  2. For a leak on the private side, verify whether your city uses a curb-stop split before calling a plumber.
  3. If a child or pregnant person lives in the home and plumbing may contain lead, check Mi Lead Safe for filter and lead-service support programs.

Not seeing your utility or county?

We list a utility only when an official government page publishes its rules. If yours isn't in the table above, it may not publish them online yet. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Michigan, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Michigan's population center, for comparison only):
  3. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    EGLE Community Water Supply Program
    Website →
    Phone: (800) 292-4706 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Michigan page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  4. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

Water line responsibility check →

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