
Ownership
The figure (right) illustrates a typical service line ownership situation:
The water main lies underneath the street and the “public side” connection runs from the water main to the property line. GCWW owns and is responsible for this section of the connection.
The property owner owns the “private side” section from the property line into the home or business. This private side line may be made from lead. The property owner is responsible for this section. (Brass fittings, faucets and solder may also exist in the home or business and cause lead to be present in drinking water.)
GCWW 100% FUNDED REPLACEMENT
To help property owners replace their private lead service line, Cincinnati City Council passed an Ordinance on December 15, 2021 authorizing GCWW to pay 100% of the private-side lead service line cost for customers participating in GCWW’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program. To be eligible for the program, property owners must sign an agreement allowing a GCWW contractor to perform the private side replacement. After the replacement, the private side service line remains the property and responsibility of the property owner.
All work is completed by a contractor selected and verified by GCWW. GCWW pays the contractor directly after the replacement is completed. There is no out of pocket or up front cost to home owners. Private side lead service line replacement costs incurred prior to December 15, 2021 are not eligible for 100% funding. Private side lead service line replacements performed outside the GCWW program are also not eligible for payment or reimbursement through GCWW’s program.
All work is completed by a contractor selected and certified by GCWW.