The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has just released an eye-opening, even troubling map, created from data collected by the U.S. EPA. The information, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, pinpoints U.S. regions where lead water service lines have been identified—or where the materials of those pipes remain unknown. This visualization is a critical first step in removing these dangerous lead pipes, a mission the EPA has publicly committed to achieving.
Consider this map the foundation for real, on-the-ground action. With $15 billion in federal funding allocated to address the lead pipe crisis, the ability to precisely locate these toxic pipes means those resources can be deployed strategically to protect the communities most at risk.
The survey data paints an alarming picture: Lead service lines are not an isolated problem confined to certain cities. This is a widespread issue affecting everything from major metropolitan hubs to smaller towns across the country. Shockingly, millions of Americans remain unaware that their drinking water is still flowing through hazardous lead pipes, which were once mandated by governments and utilities despite known health risks.
It’s clear that this is a national emergency that demands swift and decisive action. Advanced technology, like AI-driven mapping tools from BlueConduit, are now helping uncover the true extent of the problem with unprecedented accuracy. Together with the EPA’s newly accessible data, these tools are laying the groundwork for an aggressive push to eliminate lead pipes and protect public health across the U.S.
“Each lead pipe on this map connects an entire family to an urgent drinking water threat in their home,” said Valerie Baron, National Policy Director and Senior Attorney at NRDC’s Safe Water Initiative. “Children today are drinking water that traveled through the same dangerous pipe that was installed before their parents were even born. It is long past time for utilities and governments to take responsibilities for these hazards, and the first step is knowing where they are.”
The top 10 public water systems with the most known service lines that contain lead pipe include:
Chicago Bureau of Water Supply, IL
Cleveland Water, OH
New York City System, NY
City of Detroit Water and Sewage Department, MI
Milwaukee Water Works, WI
Denver Water Board of Commissioners, CO
City of St. Louis Water Division, MO
Citizens Energy Group Indianapolis, IN
Minneapolis Water, MN
Buffalo Water, NY
