Public Works & Utilities

The City of Duluth has developed a service line inventory which is publicly available.  You can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/ or by contacting the Lead Removal Program at 218-730-4673, leadremoval@duluthmn.gov.  

If your service line is unknown in the online inventory,  further review or identification may be needed.  You may schedule a free appointment to have a ComfortSystems technician identify the private side of your service line at: https://comfortsystemsduluthonlinescheduling.as.me/watermeterchange. 

Replacements are identified and funds are requested at least a year in advance of construction projects.  Property owners are usually notified 6 to 9 months in advance of a planned replacement project in their neighborhood.  Follow the link to use the interactive map to view current and upcoming project areas. https://duluthmn.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=a70913b3b77546878cd16b6fc16d84f3.

The water service lines in Duluth have dual ownership.  The public portion is the responsibility of the utility and the privately owned portion of the service line is the responsibility of the property owner.  Under the Lead Removal Program, any part of the line that contains lead, either public, private or both, will be replaced.  Property owners will sign an agreement allowing the City to conduct work on their property for service line replacement at no charge to the property owner.  Property owners may choose to replace the private portion of their service line outside of the program at their own expense.

No, any replacements or repairs made by the property owner outside of the Lead Removal Program are not eligible for reimbursement.

Lead can accumulate in the body over time, causing permanent health effects. Adults may experience high blood pressure and kidney damage while infants and children are at risk for learning, behavior and other health problems. Parents of young children and pregnant women should be particularly aware of the risks associated with lead exposure. See our Education and Resources page for more info.

No, when choosing a water filter, you should ensure it is certified to NSF/ANSI standard 53.  Both the Brita Elite and ZeroWater pitchers distributed by the City of Duluth are certified to NSF/ANSI standard 53.

Yes, replacement water filters can be requested on the Water Pitcher Program page, or send an email to leadremoval@duluthmn.gov or call 218-730-4673.  

Water Pitcher Program

Duluth’s water distribution system currently contains more than 6,000 known lead service lines. These lines increase the risk of lead exposure for those living in the homes connected to them. We are taking a multi-faceted approach to addressing this problem, which includes our lead service line replacement program. Due to funding constraints and the large number of lead service lines, it is expected to take many years to replace all lead service lines within the water system. In the meantime, we are employing additional strategies to help mitigate lead exposure. Free filters are offered through our Lead Removal Program and we are now beginning to optimize our treatment process to reduce the amount of lead that can dissolve into drinking water from old service lines.

Most of the treatment process will remain the same. One component, called corrosion control treatment, will be modified to include the addition of orthophosphate. This additive is certified by NSF and is already used by many water systems around the state. It works by creating a thin film inside water lines to reduce the amount of lead that leaches from them. Once this protective coating is established, lead levels at the tap typically drop substantially, reducing residents’ exposure through drinking water.

There are no known health concerns associated with orthophosphate treatment. In addition to routine monitoring, which tests for more than 100 contaminants, we have developed a monitoring plan for orthophosphate implementation and will work with the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure that we continue to provide safe drinking water before, during, and after the treatment change.

We plan to begin adding orthophosphate in the fall of 2026.

We expect that over time, lead levels will decline, particularly for residents with lead service lines. Exposure to lead can lead to serious health effects in all age groups, however, young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead. The addition of orthophosphate is intended to mitigate these health risks.

We do not anticipate adverse impacts to water quality. Water main flushing may be used during implementation of the new treatment, which could lead to temporary changes in color due to the disruption of rust in iron water lines. While inconvenient for customers, these conditions do not present a health concern and will be minimized as much as possible.

You do not need to do anything. If the color of your water changes, we recommend letting your faucets run until the water is clear before you drink or use it. If discoloration continues, please contact Utility Operations office at 218-730-4130 or use the online Service Request Access at https://cityofduluthmn.tylerportico.com/TIM/Portal/portal-home

We do not anticipate any disruptions in your water service.

For more information, please contact the Lead Removal Program at leadremoval@duluthmn.gov, 218-730-4673, or visit our website at https://duluthmn.gov/public-works-utilities/lead-water-education/water-testing/ for answers to frequently asked questions, updated information, and more.