As part of the City’s Participatory Budgeting Initiative, residents in the Third Ward allocated $500,000 of their total $1M investment to address lead service line concerns.
The city remains committed to replacing all lead service lines, with replacements typically occurring during scheduled roadwork or in cases of leaks. With the ongoing replacement program, the focus of this funding has shifted to helping residents who may still need their lead service line replaced and providing additional resources on lead hazards.
In the summer of 2024, the city issued a Request for Proposal and awarded the contract to Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan. Their mission is to improve children’s health by eliminating hazardous housing conditions in some of Grand Rapids' most affected neighborhoods.
Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan is tasked with distributing free lead-reducing water kits to Third Ward residents with lead service lines.
These kits includes:
- A lead-reducing filter pitcher
- Elite Brita replacement filters
- Materials for removing and cleaning faucet aerators
- Lead education materials
- An optional in-home assessment of pipes and fixtures to identify risks
Residents of the Third Ward with a lead service line are eligible for a free lead-reducing water kit.
To find out if you reside in the Third Ward, visit the City's Ward Map. Enter your address, and a pop-up box with your Ward information will appear.
To determine if you have a lead service line, visit the Lead Service Line Map and follow the instructions to search for your property’s service line material.
If you're not eligible, visit Lead Prevention for additional information and resources on reducing lead exposure.
If you're eligible for a free lead-reducing water kit, please contact Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan at (616) 241-3300 or via email at kat@hhcwm.org. The kits are available for pick-up or delivery.
For additional information, visit Healthy Homes Third Ward Lead Reduction Program.