If you get your water from WSSC Water, which serves most of Montgomery and Prince George's counties, you may have heard about the "What's Your Pipe Type?" program. It is WSSC's effort to find out which service lines are lead and to replace them. Here is what it means for you.
Your service line has two owners
A water service line carries water from WSSC's main to your property. The line is split. WSSC owns one portion and you own the customer side. EPA requires WSSC to replace the portion it owns, and WSSC says it will. If your line tests as lead, WSSC "strongly recommends" that you replace your portion too.
Because the two pieces are replaced separately, ask WSSC how its work at your address is scheduled. Replacing only half of a lead line leaves lead in the pipe.
Step 1: Check your address
WSSC has an inventory map on its What's Your Pipe Type? page. Enter your address to see what WSSC's records say about your line. The page also asks you to complete a survey about your pipe, which helps WSSC verify what is in the ground. If your record says the material is unknown, a survey from you is how it gets resolved.
If you want someone to look at the customer-side pipe for you, the research we reviewed lists a free customer-side inspection through WSSC's lead program at 301-206-7200. Confirm this is still offered when you call.
Step 2: Know the timeline
WSSC began lead service line replacements in 2025 and its goal is to finish all of them by 2037, which it says is the EPA deadline. Verification and replacement are prioritized for:
- schools and daycare facilities;
- properties with children or pregnant women;
- disadvantaged communities.
News reports put the number of lines WSSC needs to address at about 14,000, and Maryland's environment department approved more than $40 million in funding in March 2025. Check with WSSC for current numbers.
Step 3: Understand what help exists for your side
WSSC says it is developing a program to help pay for replacing the customer-owned portion, and that no details are final. It will post more when plans are final. Until then:
- If you plan to replace your portion on your own, notify WSSC first. Reimbursement is not guaranteed, and a replacement WSSC did not know about may not be covered by any program that follows.
- Eligible residential customers can set up a pay plan or look at other assistance through WSSC's Flexible Pay Plans and Financial Assistance Programs.
Step 4: Protect yourself while you wait
If you have a lead line, or you do not know yet, EPA recommends:
- a filter certified to remove lead, with the cartridge replaced on schedule (do not run hot water through it);
- running the tap before drinking if the water has been sitting, for example by showering or running a load of laundry first.
EPA's action level for lead is 15 parts per billion in samples, and a water system must take further steps if more than 10 percent of samples exceed it.
What to ask when you get a quote
If your line turns out to be lead and you decide to replace your side, ask these before you agree to anything:
- Has WSSC been told about the work, and does it know the date? It needs to know so that its own portion can be coordinated with yours.
- What material will the new line be, and is it approved for drinking water?
- Does the quote include the permit, the connection at the meter, and restoring the lawn, sidewalk or driveway?
- If WSSC later offers assistance for the customer side, will the paperwork you get from the plumber be enough to apply?
If you rent, ask your landlord whether the line has been checked. If you own a townhouse, check whether the pipe to your unit is shared with a neighbor, because a shared line changes who has to agree to the work.
Phone numbers worth saving
- WSSC customer service: 301-206-4001, weekdays, 8 am to 6 pm. Toll free 1-800-828-6439.
- Water main or sewer emergencies: 301-206-4002.
- Permit services: 301-206-4003.
Do it yourself or call a pro
Looking up your address and completing the survey are DIY. Replacing the customer-side line is a job for a licensed plumber. It needs digging, a connection at the meter, a permit, and usually coordination with WSSC. Before you hire anyone, call WSSC to say what you plan to do, and get a written quote that covers restoring the surface.
Program details change, and WSSC says its customer-side assistance is still being worked out. This guide was last reviewed on October 15, 2026. Verify with WSSC before you act.