Selling an Older Home in Des Moines? New 2026 Iowa Lead Pipe Law You Need to Know

If you own an older home in Des Moines, Iowa, this is important.

As of January 1, 2026, Iowa homeowners are legally required to disclose whether their property has a lead water service line when selling.

And many homeowners in Des Moines have no idea this now applies to them.

As a local Des Moines Realtor, I’ve been digging into this so my clients are not caught off guard. If you’re thinking about selling in 2026 or even the next few years, here’s exactly what you need to know about Iowa’s new lead pipe disclosure requirement.

New Iowa Law: Lead Water Pipe Disclosure Is Now Required

Under updated Iowa real estate disclosure laws, sellers must now indicate the status of their water service line.

You are required to mark one of the following:

• Yes – The home has known lead water pipes

• Unknown – The seller is unsure

• No – The home does not have lead pipes

This applies to residential home sales across Iowa and is especially relevant for older homes in Des Moines, particularly those built prior to 1940. (although a large number of homes built between 1930-1940 used copper instead of lead)

If you recently received a letter from Des Moines Water Works, this is likely why.

Why Did Des Moines Water Works Send Letters?

Des Moines Water Works has been working to identify properties that may have lead service lines.

Homeowners received notices if their property:

• Has confirmed lead pipes

• Has an unknown service line material

• Needs verification

They also provide an online lookup tool where you can enter your address to check your home’s status.

Many of the homeowners I’ve talked to were surprised. Previously, this was not something required to be disclosed during a home sale. Now it is clearly defined under Iowa law.

Where Are Lead Pipes Typically Located?

Here’s something most people misunderstand.

Lead water pipes are usually not inside the house itself.

They are most commonly located:

• In the underground service line running from the stop box to the street

• Less commonly where the line enters directly into the home

To better understand this, my team even brought in a local excavating professional, Torgerson Excavating, to walk us through what these pipes look like and where they are typically found. If we are advising clients, we want to fully understand the issue first.

Does Having a Lead Service Line Mean Your Water Is Unsafe?

Not necessarily.

Having a lead service line does not automatically mean your water is contaminated or that your family is at immediate risk.

Homeowners in Des Moines can:

• Request free water testing through Des Moines Water Works

• Install a reverse osmosis filtration system

• Replace the service line if they choose

The key is awareness and informed decision-making, not panic.

What This Means If You’re Selling a Home in Des Moines

If you are planning to sell your home in Des Moines in 2026 or beyond, here is what you should do now:

1. Check your home’s service line status using the Des Moines Water Works lookup tool.(just type in your address)

2. Review any letters you have received.

3. Disclose the status properly on your Iowa seller disclosure form. Unless you have had it confirmed you have lead water lines, you should mark unknown. A letter stating you "may" have them does NOT mean you do.

But failing to disclose correctly could create legal issues later, especially now that this is a clearly defined state requirement.

As a listing agent, I would much rather my clients address this proactively than scramble mid-transaction.

What Buyers Should Know About Older Homes in Iowa

If you are buying an older home in Des Moines or anywhere in Iowa, especially one built before 1940, you should:

• Expect the possibility of a lead service line

• Review the seller disclosure carefully

• Consider water testing during your due diligence period

This does not mean you should avoid older homes. Some of the most beautiful, character-filled homes in Des Moines are historic properties.

It simply means you should go into the purchase informed.

Final Thoughts on the 2026 Iowa Lead Pipe Disclosure Law

The biggest takeaway?

Many homeowners do not know whether they have lead pipes.

This new Iowa disclosure requirement is about transparency and making sure buyers and sellers both have the right information before closing.

If you own an older home in Des Moines and are unsure about your water line status, now is the time to check, especially if selling is even a remote possibility in the next few years.

If you have questions about how this impacts your home value, seller disclosure paperwork, or buying an older home in Iowa, I am always happy to walk through it with you.

The more informed you are, the stronger your position when it is time to sell..