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October 9, 2026

The City of Columbus is asking a federal court to hold companies accountable for the public nuisance posed by lead pipes used to deliver drinking water 

The Case at a Glance

The Lawsuit: City of Columbus v. NL Industries, Inc., No. 26-cv-465 (S.D. Ohio).

The Core Claim: The City’s complaint alleges that several companies that made, sold, and/or promoted lead pipes, acting individually and through the Lead Industries Association, ran a deceptive promotional campaign for many decades that inflated demand for lead pipes. According to the complaint, defendants’ actions caused increased use of lead service lines in the City’s water system, creating a public nuisance.

In March 2026, the City of Columbus sued several companies that made, sold, and/or promoted lead pipes used in its drinking water system. Edelson PC serves as counsel to the City in the case.

A lead service line is a pipe that carries drinking water from a water main under a street to a building’s water meter. Where lead service lines are present, the City’s complaint alleges, they are typically the dominant source of lead in tap water. For decades, Columbus has effectively treated its drinking water to reduce the corrosion of lead pipes in its system and to deliver safe water to its residents. Corrosion control treatment reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk from lead service lines. Columbus has declared lead service lines to be a public nuisance and accelerated its removal of lead pipes throughout the city. Columbus is also subject to EPA’s regulatory mandate to replace all lead service lines. The City expects to replace more than 50,000 service lines, at a cost of over one billion dollars.  

The City’s complaint alleges that the Lead Industries Association – a trade association of companies engaged in lead mining, lead smelting, and lead manufacturing – deceptively promoted lead pipes as safe for use in water systems. The Association described its work as “directly responsible” for hundreds of tons of lead plumbing goods that would not otherwise have been used. The complaint asserts claims of absolute public nuisance and civil conspiracy and seeks abatement and compensatory damages. 

Talk to us: Whether any other city or water system has claims related to lead service lines depends upon the facts unique to that city or water system. Cities and water systems can contact Edelson PC at hello@edelson.com or 844.Edelson.

FAQ

What is a lead service line?: A lead service line is a pipe that carries drinking water from a water main under a street to a building’s water meter. Where lead service lines are present, they are typically the dominant source of lead in tap water. 

When did lead pipes stop being installed in new construction?: Congress imposed a nationwide ban on new installations of lead service lines in public water systems in 1986. Many individual water systems stopped allowing lead service lines before the federal ban. 

What is the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements?: It’s an EPA regulation, finalized in 2024, that requires most public water systems in the U.S. to inventory and replace all lead and certain galvanized service lines, within a set timeframe (by 2037 for many systems). 

Where can I go to find out more information about lead in drinking water?: Websites maintained by the U.S. EPA and Center for Disease Control both have more information about lead in drinking water. You can find them here and here.