Removing Lead Water Service Lines from Our Community

Englewood Utilities delivers water to over 57,000 customers through more than 11,000 service connections. Englewood Utilities is investigating how many service lines may be at a greater risk for lead exposure from lead service lines and plumbing. The Lead Reduction Program will replace lead service lines with copper pipes. 

Your Water Service Line

Your water service line is the pipe that carries water from the water main in the street to the inside of your home. The service line between the water main and the curb stop is owned by the city. The remainder of the service line, from the curb stop to inside the home, is owned by the property owner. 

Your Water Service Line with the Meter Outside of Your Home

Your Water Service Line with the Meter Inside of Your Home

Inspection for Service Line Replacement Eligibility

Englewood Utilities is mailing letters to all customers who may have a lead or galvanized steel service line and therefore are a part of the program. Lead service line replacements began in 2024. 

First, construction crews will need to visually inspect and confirm the material of the water service line (lead, copper or other materials) using two possible methods:

• Interior Inspection – Crews will inspect the service line where it enters the home (usually in the crawl space or basement).
  
  OR
  
  
• Exterior Inspection – Crews will use machinery to excavate up to two small holes, up to 8 inches in diameter, in the front yard to uncover and visually inspect the service line. An exterior inspection can occur with or without the presence of the property owner.

In addition to the inspection of your service line, crews will inspect the portion of the service line owned by Englewood Utilities. Basic restoration of disturbed landscaping material will be performed after inspection. Englewood Utilities will schedule a future replacement date if lead is found at any point along the service line.

Customer Acknowledgement Form

What to expect before, during, and after replacement construction?

Before your water service line replacement, property owners will be asked to sign an acknowledgement form, allowing Englewood Utilities to replace your existing water service line with copper pipe, if necessary.

During your on-site visit with the contractor and Englewood Utilities representative, we will confirm receipt of the signed acknowledgement form and visually inspect the water service line connection inside your property (usually in the basement or crawl space). We will also walk customers through the replacement process and answer any questions.

The lead service line replacement process will take 6 to 8 hours. An authorized contractor hired by Englewood Utilities will manage the replacement process. The property owner or designee must be at least 18 years old and remain at the property until the work is complete.

After your water service line replacement, we will ask you to flush your internal plumbing as debris can get trapped in interior plumbing during the replacement process. Following your replacement, you will be asked to filter your water for cooking, drinking, and preparing infant formula because lead levels can be temporarily elevated after a water service line replacement. The video below provides helpful instructions on how to flush your internal plumbing. 

Customer Acknowledgement Form for LSL Replacements

The Customer Acknowledgment Form allows Englewood Utilities to replace your existing water service line with copper if your service line is made of lead or galvanized steel. Englewood utilities can only replace your service line if we receive a signed acknowledgment form. Property owners who do not sign the form are opting out of the program and may be responsible for paying to replace their customer-owned lead service lines at their own expense, which can cost up to $12,000.

Customer Acknowledgement Form coming soon. 

Lead Service Line Replacement Zones

Lead service line replacements began in the North Central Zone of the city in 2024. Englewood Utilities' Lead Reduction Program could take up to three (3) years to replace all lead or galvanized water service lines in the service area with copper. Englewood Utilities has divided the city into ten (10) neighborhood zones, defined by the city's boundary and major roadways, plus a zone for properties serviced outside the city. A preliminary replacement zone construction order is shown in the map below and is subject to change.

Replacements began in the North Central Zone in 2024 and will move to the following neighborhood zones until all lead or galvanized water service lines have been replaced. Check back here for updates on when future replacement dates are scheduled.