Saskatoon is replacing lead water service lines by January 1, 2029, usually alongside water main and road upgrades. When it does, it replaces both the public and private portions, the homeowner is responsible for 40 percent of the total cost, and the City does not allow partial replacement. Owners can also replace their line sooner at their own cost and apply for reimbursement (as checked September 2026).
- The City owns the service on public property and the homeowner owns the part on private property, split at the property line.
- The City says lead replacement will be complete by January 1, 2029, with about 1,306 lead lines left at the end of 2023.
- Both portions are replaced together; the homeowner pays 40 percent of the total cost.
- Owners are notified two to three months ahead of the work on their street.
- The City does not offer free lead testing; it points residents to an accredited laboratory and to NSF 53 filters.
01 /Who owns the water service in Saskatoon?
The City of Saskatoon says it is responsible for the water main and the part of the service line on public property, and the homeowner is responsible for the part on private property; the City's brochure shows the split at the property line. The City says water pipes were made with lead before 1950, which is the era to check first.
Check the pipe at your entry with the identification guide or the Lead Water Line Check, and ask the City whether your address is on its replacement list.
02 /How does Saskatoon's lead replacement work?
The City says it is replacing lead pipes used for water service lines by January 1, 2029, in conjunction with necessary water main and road upgrades. From 2017 to the end of 2023 it replaced about 3,210 lead service lines, with about 1,306 remaining. Its brochure says that when the City replaces lead pipes it must include both the public and private portions, that the homeowner is responsible for 40 percent of the total cost, and that the City does not allow partial replacement.
- Notice
Owners are notified two to three months before the work.
- Both sides together
The City replaces the public and private portions in one job.
- Cost share
The homeowner pays 40 percent of the total cost.
- Or go first
An owner may replace the line immediately at their own cost and apply for reimbursement; payment options are described on the City's lead page.
The City's program detail page could not be loaded when checked in September 2026, so the reimbursement amounts, any maximum and the payment terms are not stated here. Confirm them with Customer Care (306-975-2476, customercare@saskatoon.ca) before you plan around a number.
03 /What will the 40 percent share be?
It is 40 percent of what the full replacement costs at your address, which the City sets for the job. The City did not publish a typical total when checked. What drives that total is the same as anywhere: length from the main to the house, depth below frost, the surfaces crossed, access in the basement, and whether a trench or trenchless method is used.
The cost page explains the drivers and compares Saskatoon's cost share with other cities' help.
04 /How should Saskatoon residents test and protect their water?
The City does not offer free testing; it tells residents to use a private, accredited, licensed laboratory, and it recommends a filter certified to NSF 53 for lead reduction. Until the line is replaced, follow Health Canada's advice to run the cold tap until it is cold after water has stood, and use cold water for drinking and cooking. The testing guide explains how to read a lab result.
- Confirm with the City whether your service is lead and when your street is scheduled.
- Test through an accredited laboratory, and filter in the meantime.
- Decide whether to wait for the City's schedule or replace first and apply for reimbursement.
- After replacement, flush as instructed and test again.
For contractor quotes if you decide to go first, send your details. The general process is in the lead replacement guide.
05 /What happens on a Saskatoon street when replacement arrives?
Because the City ties lead replacement to water main and road upgrades, replacement usually arrives as part of a larger project on your street. The two-to-three-month notice is the time to prepare.
- Find your curb stop and tell the City if it is buried or paved over.
- Clear the basement entry so the crew can reach the pipe and the main shut-off.
- Ask what restoration covers on your lawn, driveway and boulevard.
- Ask about your 40 percent share: how it is calculated, when it is billed and how it can be paid.
- Plan water use for the shut-off window on the day.
- Keep filtering until follow-up testing shows lead has settled.
After the work, flush the cold taps thoroughly and clean aerators. Health Canada's guidance calls for extensive flushing and repeated sampling after lead service replacement; the testing guide explains how.
FAQQuestions people ask
When will Saskatoon finish replacing lead water lines?
The City says by January 1, 2029, done alongside water main and road upgrades.
How much does a Saskatoon homeowner pay for lead replacement?
The City's brochure says the homeowner is responsible for 40 percent of the total cost of replacing both portions.
Can Saskatoon replace only the city side of a lead line?
No. The City says it does not allow partial replacement; both portions are replaced together.
Does Saskatoon test water for lead for free?
No. It directs residents to an accredited laboratory and recommends an NSF 53 certified filter.
How much warning does Saskatoon give before replacing my lead line?
The City's brochure says owners are notified two to three months in advance.
How many lead service lines are left in Saskatoon?
The City said about 1,306 remained at the end of 2023, after about 3,210 were replaced from 2017.
Who do I call about lead pipes in Saskatoon?
Customer Care at 306-975-2476 or customercare@saskatoon.ca.
