Politics
Boston Secures $12 Million to Replace Lead Pipes in 4,200 Homes
The July 7 vote directs $12 million from the capital budget to replace lead pipes serving homes in Dorchester, Roxbury and East Boston starting next year.
How we reported this
Boston City Council members voted 9 to 4 on July 7 to add $12 million to the capital budget for accelerated lead service line replacements. The measure directs the Boston Water and Sewer Commission to begin work in three neighborhoods where records show the highest concentration of remaining lead pipes.
The decision follows the 2025 Boston Public Health Commission assessment that identified lead service lines serving roughly 4,200 residential addresses. City officials have already drawn down initial federal grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and needed local matching funds to keep the schedule on track for 2027 completions.
Changes for households in three neighborhoods
Property owners in Dorchester, Roxbury and East Boston will receive notice by mail this fall if their address is on the replacement list. The commission will cover the full cost of work from the curb to the meter, removing the current $1,800 average out-of-pocket expense residents previously faced for private-side replacement. Families with children under six will be offered temporary bottled water delivery during the two-day construction window at each property.
Renters in buildings with shared service lines will see the same pipe work but must coordinate with landlords on any interior fixture flushing required after reconnection. The legislation states that the commission must publish monthly progress reports on its website listing the number of lines replaced and the neighborhoods reached.
Budget details and timeline
The $12 million allocation comes from unspent bond proceeds originally authorized in the fiscal 2026 capital plan. The commission projects the funds will cover 1,050 full replacements at an average cost of $11,400 per line. Work is scheduled to begin in September 2027 after design and permitting are finished.
Residents outside the three priority neighborhoods can still request an inspection through the existing voluntary program, though they will remain responsible for any private-side costs unless additional funding is approved later. The next council review of the program is set for the January 2028 budget hearings.