Although the water Ferndale delivers to customers is safe, lead can get into the water if it passes through a lead service line. Lead in drinking water can cause health problems for people of all ages, particularly pregnant women, infants, and young children. The Ferndale Department of Public Works (DPW) estimates that there are approximately 4000 lead service lines left in the City, of the 10,200 total lines. This is a long-term process, and the City expects the work to be completed in 2036.

For the best use of resources—environmental, fiscal, and beyond—the City will prioritize service lines on blocks in the City with the highest concentration of verified lead service lines. 

As was done in the past, lead service line replacements will be coordinated with other infrastructure work, including water main replacement and paving, allowing for fewer periods of construction noise, service interruptions, etc. 

Service Line Material reporting is an important part of the Program. The City has created a self-reporting tool to allow residents to identify the service material inside their home. This data will be used to better understand the water supply system as a whole, and it will help us to determine which blocks will be addressed first.

The City of Ferndale has over 10,000 service lines. Since the LSLR Program began in 2021, DPW has performed over 2,200 replacements and 3,200 verifications. Residents can use a map to find information on their property.

External verifications will continue throughout the duration of the Lead Service Line Replacement Program. The data generated from these verifications allows us to better plan which blocks to address first. The external verification process does not typically require anything of the resident, since the water shutoff is in the right-of-way, six feet underground. The City’s contractor will expose the public and private side of the line, between the sidewalk and curb, and they will perform restoration on the front lawn. 

The following areas can expect external verifications by fall of 2025: 

• Central: Nine Mile to W. Lewiston
• Inman: Woodward Heights to Ten Mile
• Harris: E. Lewiston to Woodward Heights

2025: 
 

• Harris-Woodward Heights to E Lewiston
• E Maplehurst-Woodward to Gainsboro
• Jarvis-Wanda to West End
• Laprairie-8 Mile to Marshall
• Central-9 Mile to W Lewiston

• McDowell-Shevlin to 10 Mile

• Shevlin–Hilton to Chester

2026:
 

• Inman-Woodward Heights to 10 Mile*
• E Saratoga-Woodward to Hilton*
• W Marshall-Republic to Pinecrest*
• W Breckenridge-Pinecrest to Woodward*
• W Lewiston-City Limits to Woodward*
• Horton-Woodward Heights to 10 Mile
• E Oakridge-Woodward to Gainsboro
• Vester-Bermuda to Paxton
• Spencer-Woodward to Fair
• E Hazelhurst-Woodward to Idaho
• Albany-Livernois to Woodward
• W Hazelhurst-Allen to Woodward
• St. Louis-8 Mile to W Marshall
• W Oakridge-Dead End to Pinecrest
• W Maplehurst-Hyland to Woodward

*These streets have been rescheduled from the 2025 schedule. 

• The contractor will need access to your home and the location of your water meter. Your property’s lead service line will be replaced with a copper water service line. 
• The replacement should take about four to five hours to complete. 
• While work is being performed, your property will not have access to water. 
• A portion of your lawn/front yard will be disturbed during the process—restoration will be provided at no cost to you. 

• See the Lead Service Line Replacement book. 
• Visit the City's Lead and Your Drinking Water information page. 

For questions, please contact Project Manager Jeffrey Weeks at jweeks@ferndalemi.gov or 248-546-2525 x 604 or DPW Front Desk at 248-546-2519.