Strong Starts Begin with Safe Water: Toledo Launches Free Lead Line Replacement Program for Childcare Facilities

The City of Toledo, with support from a $500,000 grant from H2Ohio, has launched a new program to replace lead service lines at licensed childcare facilities-at no cost to the provider. The Childcare Facility Lead Service Line Replacement Program ensures that the water serving Toledo's youngest residents is safe, clean, and lead-free.

Children under six are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure because their brains and bodies are still developing. By focusing on licensed childcare facilities, the City can efficiently protect the greatest number of children in environments where they spend much of their day.

How the Program Works

The City of Toledo is cross-referencing licensed childcare facilities with water service records to identify those that may have lead service lines.
Eligible childcare providers will be invited to enroll in the program.

• Once registered, the City will confirm and the contractor will schedule a time to replace the city-owned lead service line.
• If the customer-owned portion of the line is also lead, it will be replaced during the same visit.
• Beginning Monday, November 3 - eligible childcare facilities can sign-up on the City of Toledo website.

Replacements will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis until the grant funding is fully utilized.

Your water is safe to drink. This targeted effort builds on Toledo's ongoing commitment to removing all lead service lines citywide and ensuring safe drinking water for every resident. Get more information on our website at toledo.oh.gov/lead-service-lines.

Note: This program replaces lead service lines up to the water meter and does not cover interior plumbing.