Lead Water Pipe Replacement in Toronto
Updated August 18, 2026
The private-side water line is the homeowner’s responsibility. City Rooter replaces lead services with copper or approved modern pipe. Typical residential work ranges from $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on length and method. Call (647) 534-6875 for a written estimate.
- Home built in or before the mid-1950s
- Lead pipe visible at the basement entry
- City notice or inspection flagging a lead service
Licensed & WSIB · Written estimates · 24/7 Mon–Sat · Sun 9 AM–5 PM
Lead water pipe replacement in Toronto
Homes built in the mid-1950s and earlier may still have a lead water service. Lead in drinking water is a health risk, especially for children. Tens of thousands of Toronto homes still have lead on the private side, the city side, or both.
The portion on your property is the homeowner’s responsibility. City Rooter replaces private-side lead lines with copper or approved modern pipe. If you commit to your side, the city can often schedule its side. We help you understand that split before you book.
This is not a cosmetic upgrade. It is the line that carries drinking water into the house. Filters and flushing help while you wait. They do not remove a lead service.
How we confirm a lead service
A licensed plumber can identify the material where the line enters the basement. Lead is soft, dull grey, and scratches bright. Copper is the colour you expect. Galvanized steel is magnetic and often rusty at threads. If the visible section is copper but the house is old, the buried run can still be lead. We will say when we need to confirm farther out.
If it is lead, we quote a private-side replacement and explain access, trenchless options, and typical ranges of $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on length and method. We do not guess from the year of the house alone.
Private side versus city side
The private side runs from the property line to the meter or the first shutoff inside. That is your pipe and your invoice. The city side sits under the street. Toronto has coordinated replacement when the homeowner replaces the private portion. Timing is not always same-week. We tell you what we can control and what sits with the city.
Doing only your side while the city side stays lead still leaves lead in the system. Doing only the city side while your side stays lead does the same. Plan both. We will not pretend a private-side swap finishes the story if the street side is still lead.
What replacement involves
We locate the private-side path, choose trenchless or open excavation, install the new pipe, restore pressure, and clean the site. You get a written estimate. Flushing and a follow-up water test are good practice after a lead line is removed.
Trenchless pulls limit lawn damage when the old line can guide the new one. Tight downtown lots often go this way. If the path is blocked, we open the ground and restore it. Either method ends with a modern service and a working shutoff.
What it costs and how long it takes
A ¾-inch private-side run up to 30 feet often falls around $2,500 to $3,800. Longer runs and 1-inch upgrades sit higher, up to $5,800 in the published bands and more past 45 feet. Restoration and winter work change the number. See the water line replacement page for the full length table.
A typical residential swap is a one-day job once the path is clear and the city schedule is known. Call (647) 534-6875. We will confirm the material, quote the private side, and tell you what to ask the city about the street side.
While you wait for replacement
Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Flush the tap in the morning before you fill a glass. A certified filter can reduce lead at one tap. None of that replaces the pipe. If you have young children or you are pregnant, treat replacement as the priority, not a someday project.
If the line is also leaking or pressure is already low, do not wait for a perfect rebate window. A failed lead service is both a health issue and a water-damage issue. We can often combine the replacement with a diameter upgrade so the new line is not undersized for a modern house.
After the lead line is out
Flush cold taps for several minutes the first morning. Consider a water test if you have children in the house. A filter on one tap is still useful until you are sure the new line and the city side are both clean.
If the city has not yet replaced its side, keep using cold water for drinking and keep the filter on. Call us when the municipal date is set if you need the private side coordinated. Call (647) 534-6875 to confirm the material and get a written private-side price.
Need lead pipe replacement in Toronto?
Licensed, insured, WSIB-covered technicians. We answer live and typically reply to quotes in 5–10 minutes.
Our process
Step 1
Confirm
Identify the material where the service enters the home.
Step 2
Quote
Written private-side scope, trenchless or open excavation.
Step 3
Replace
Install copper or approved pipe and restore the site.
Reviews
Only 5-star reviews from GTA homeowners
★★★★★
Alex and his team replaced our main drain and broken pipes. He provided great service and workmanship, at reasonable prices. Highly recommend.
★★★★★
City Rooter installed a new waterline from the edge of the property into my basement. Alex worked with me to get the best solution possible, gave a very good price, and left everything neat and tidy.
★★★★★
They saved us from a major plumbing disaster. Tree roots clogged the drain. The team snaked the line, excavated, replaced the damaged pipe, and installed a cleanout. Professional, efficient, and fair.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Toronto home has a lead water line?
Homes built in the mid-1950s and earlier may still have lead. A licensed plumber can identify the material where the service enters the basement. Lead is dull grey and scratches to a shiny silver. City Rooter can confirm the private-side material and quote replacement if it is lead.
Who pays to replace a lead water service in Toronto?
You pay for the private side — property line into the house. The city owns the portion under the street and has programs for that side when the homeowner commits to replacing theirs. We explain that split before you book so you are not surprised by a municipal invoice.
How much does private-side lead pipe replacement cost?
Private-side replacement commonly runs $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on length, diameter, and access. Shorter ¾-inch runs often land in the $2,500 to $5,200 range. Complex lots and 1-inch upgrades cost more. You get a written estimate after we see the path.
Related services
Need a plumber now?
Licensed, insured, WSIB-covered technicians. We answer live and typically reply to quotes in 5–10 minutes.