State guide
Ohio
Ohio's drinking-water program is run by Ohio EPA's Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, and Ohio law and rule now directly address lead service lines on both utility and customer sides. Large Ohio utilities commonly place the public/private split at the curb stop or curb box, and current state law lets water-works companies replace customer-owned lead lines.
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
- Usually yes in Ohio, except the split is most often at the curb stop or curb box rather than the meter: Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, and Ohio utility rules all place the customer-owned portion on the property side of that valve.
- State drinking water program
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters
- State lead service line page
- Official page →
- Permits for repair or replacement
- Ohio law says plumbing work generally requires a permit before work starts in places under the Division of Industrial Compliance, except repairs or leaks in existing plumbing; local departments may enforce plumbing provisions.
- Assistance programs
- Ohio law allows water-works companies to replace customer-owned lead service lines and recover eligible costs in rate cases, and city programs reviewed include free replacements in Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, and Cincinnati programs.
Official resources in Ohio
Ohio Administrative Code rule 3745-81-84
Official Ohio lead service line replacement rule used by Ohio EPA.
Ohio Revised Code section 4909.173
Official statute allowing water-works companies to replace customer-owned water service lines, including lead lines.
Columbus Lead Service Line Replacement Program
City page explaining Columbus ownership split, free replacement eligibility, and private-side leak help.
Cleveland Water lead awareness
Utility page explaining the curb-stop ownership split and customer reporting steps for lead lines.
Key facts for Ohio
- Ohio law defines a customer-owned water service line as the line connected to the water-works company's line at the curb of a customer's property.
- Ohio law now allows a water-works company to replace lead customer-owned water service lines during main replacement, emergency replacement, or a company-initiated program.
- Ohio EPA's lead service line replacement rule requires systems to identify the initial number of lead service lines, including the portion owned by the system.
- Columbus says the utility-owned portion extends from the water main to the curb stop, and the homeowner is responsible for leaks on the private water service line before construction begins.
- Toledo says property owners are responsible for the entire length of service pipe from the curb box into the structure, including the shut-off valve, meter, and private plumbing.
- Cleveland Water says the divide between city and customer responsibility is the curb stop, generally in the treelawn.
Utility water service line rules in Ohio
| Utility | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters - Central District Office Franklin | Columbus | Not published* | State drinking-water program district contact listed for Ohio EPA district offices. |
| Lead Safe Columbus Franklin | Columbus | Not published* | Columbus lead-line program contact for free replacement work agreements and private-side leak help through LEAP. |
| Columbus Water & Power Customer Service Franklin | Columbus | Not published* | Customer service line used for inspections and leak-related questions; Columbus says the owner is responsible from the curb box to the building. |
| City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities Lucas | Toledo | Not published* | Toledo says property owners are responsible from the curb box into the structure and says customer-side lead lines are being replaced at no cost. |
| Cleveland Water Lead Inquiry Line Cuyahoga | Cleveland | 216-664-2882 | Cleveland Water contact for customers who still have a customer-owned lead service line after city-side work. |
| Cleveland Water Permits and Sales Cuyahoga | Cleveland | 216-664-2444 x75209 | Customers or plumbers must call before working on a customer-owned lead service line; Cleveland will inspect at the curb stop. |
| Greater Cincinnati Water Works Lead Information Hamilton | Cincinnati | 513-651-LEAD (513-651-5323) | Lead information line for GCWW; Cincinnati pages direct tenants and owners to this program for lead service line removal information. |
| Greater Cincinnati Water Works Customer Service Hamilton | Cincinnati | 513-591-7700 | GCWW says repairs on the private service line are the property owner's responsibility and uses this line for customer questions and emergencies. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Look up your utility's stated split point before repair work; in Ohio it is commonly the curb stop or curb box, not always the meter.
- If you have a lead or galvanized line in Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, or Cincinnati, ask the utility first whether a free or subsidized replacement program applies before hiring a plumber.
- For private-side replacement, confirm both the utility's shutoff/inspection requirements and the plumbing permit or local code-enforcement requirements.
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:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Ohio, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Ohio's population center, for comparison only):
- Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Water and Sewer Maintenance/Emergencies, Michigan · about 135 miles
- Detroit DWSD Lead Service Line Replacement Program, Michigan · about 135 miles
- Pittsburgh Water Lead Help Desk, Pennsylvania · about 148 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.Ohio Administrative Code rule 3745-81-84
Website →Phone: (734) 769-8010 (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 Ohio page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- Who is responsible for the water line to your house?
- The curb stop, meter and property line, explained
- Water line leak in your yard: what to do
- Water service line replacement costs
Water line responsibility check →
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