City of Racine Lead Service Line Replacement Program

How it works

The Racine Water Utility has a private lead service line replacement program to help homeowners replace lead water services. The utility says the program is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on an annual basis and is used to replace lead services only in targeted areas or in emergency situations.

The page also describes a citywide effort called Lead-Free Racine, delivered through the EquiFlow Racine program, to remove lead service lines and modernize aging water infrastructure over the next five years at no cost to eligible property owners. The utility says homeowners can use the Lead-Free Racine website to verify service line material, complete a Right of Entry (ROE) form, view an interactive service line map, learn what to expect during the replacement process, and review FAQs.

What the money covers

The program covers replacement of the private lead service line, described as the pipe from the water main under the street to the meter inside the home. The page also says the utility’s project FAQs refer to full lead service line replacement for eligible residential properties in the project area.

Amounts and matching

• Many invited homeowners can have their lead services replaced for free
• One contract addendum says the Water Utility agrees to pay the plumber the lesser of $2,500 or the contract amount for approved private lead service line replacement work
• A separate project FAQ says the city is offering full lead service line replacement at no cost to eligible properties in the project area

How to apply

The utility says homeowners are only eligible if they receive a mailed or hand-delivered invitation from the Utility. The page says those who receive an invitation are strongly encouraged to participate. The 2024 and 2025 project FAQs say the property owner must complete and sign a Right-of-Entry form. The page also directs residents to the Lead-Free Racine site for verification and process details.

Timing and deadlines

The page says the utility has been replacing lead service lines since fall 2016. It also says RWU is working on a multi-year plan to complete replacement of all lead service lines by 2037. The source does not give a general open application deadline because participation is invitation-based.