Malden Moves Toward Removing All Lead Water Lines By 2032

City leaders said it is on pace to exceed its annual replacement goal for 2026.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Oct 15, 2026 11:48 AM EDT

MALDEN, MA — The city announced this week that it has replaced more than 265 lead service lines this year as part of an ongoing effort to eliminate the pipes from Malden's water system by 2032.

The work is being supported by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's loan and grant program and nearly $10 million in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to city officials, Malden is on pace to surpass its target of removing 330 lead service lines this year after also exceeding its replacement goal in 2025.

Lead service lines are the small pipes connecting individual properties to the city's water mains. While Malden's and the MWRA's main distribution pipes do not contain lead, older service lines and plumbing components can introduce lead into drinking water. The city's replacement program removes lead service pipes between the water main in the street and the water meter at a property.

"Ensuring safe, clean drinking water is one of our highest priorities, and our community deserves nothing less," Mayor Gary Christenson said. "The remarkable progress we've made this year reflects the hard work of our Engineering Department, Water Department, and the strong partnerships we've built with residents, local organizations, and elected officials."

Malden announced the latest EPA grant in June. The $9,964,933 award is expected to provide the final investment needed to complete the removal of lead service lines citywide by 2032, according to city officials. The funding follows a $1.4 million federal infrastructure grant highlighted during an EPA visit to Malden in May 2024. At that time, the agency said Malden had been working with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for about 20 years to identify and eliminate lead pipes.

The work also follows elevated lead results reported by the city in October 2025. Three of 20 samples collected from homes with lead service lines had elevated lead levels, exceeding the drinking water action level in effect at the time. The city said its testing focuses on homes with lead service lines because they are more likely to have elevated levels.

The MWRA's replacement program provides communities with 10-year, interest-free loans. A 25 percent grant component is also available to communities that fully fund replacement of the portion of a lead service line on private property.

Residents can check the city's service line map to find information about the pipe serving their property.