Approaches to Lead Service

​ Line Replacement

Successful full lead service line (LSL) replacement is most efficiently accomplished when all parties (e.g., occupant, building/property owner, plumber, and water utility) have a common understanding of the task at hand, how this new task is being integrated into existing practice, and how regulatory agencies, local government, and local public health experts support the community’s approach. 

The Collaborative is focused on completely replacing all lead pipe and fittings from the main to the building inlet.

• See Introduction to Lead and LSL Replacement for more information. 
• ​See Equity to learn about equity in LSL replacement

Water utilities replace LSLs under a variety of circumstances. These activities may be planned or unplanned, and may be initiated by the utility, the homeowner, or as a result of an emergency.

To develop or advance a replacement effort, it is important to understand how service line replacements fit into a community’s overall infrastructure renewal programs and what opportunities exist.

​​There are a number of potential approaches to developing a full LSL replacement initiative:​

• Coordinating replacement with planned water infrastructure renewal programs
• Establishing dedicated initiatives to replace LSLs
• Responding to customer requests for LSL replacement​

Additionally, communities should consider the following activities for advancing LSL replacement efforts:

• Identifying when to incentivize replacing LSLs
• Recognizing where LSLs are located for future replacement
• Identify funding to support replacement, particularly if there is not already a state or local funding strategy for full lead service line replacement.
  

Planned initiatives

Water infrastructure renewal programs

It is more cost-effective to replace LSLs as the community replaces and rehabilitates its distribution system infrastructure rather than replacing LSLs independent of larger distribution system infrastructure projects. Such ongoing programs include replacing or rehabilitating existing water mains, hydrants, valves, valve pits, service connections and meters. 

Routine activities of utilities and water service also can provide an opportunity to find and replace LSLs. 

​Examples include:

• Replacing or relining water mains
• Replacing service connections and valves (including curb stop valves, curb boxes or pits)
• Installing or replacing water meters
• Relocating water meters from inside building to outside meter pits
• Conducting water system leak reduction programs​​
• Checking for and removing lead goosenecks when galvanized steel or other service lines are replaced (e.g., leaks, breaks, or other reasons)

 
​As these activities occur, they can support development of a sound inventory of where LSLs are located so future replacement can be planned and appropriate public health information provided to consumers. This might also catalyze an opportunity to educate the consumer and possibly coordinate an immediate replacement.

Field work that cuts, bends, or reshapes the service line can release lead.

• Learn about disturbing LSLs
• Learn about discouraging partial replacement

Dedicated replacement initiatives

Communities may dedicate a portion of their budget to target LSL replacement.  Funding and rebate programs vary by utility. Regulators, including water boards, local governments, and in some cases utility commissions, often need to approve programs.

Importantly, efforts solely dedicated to replacing LSLs should focus on completely replacing the entire LSL and replacing lead goosenecks.  Organizing such programs involves balancing a number of different factors:

• Efficient use of available funds
• Targeted replacements toward buildings with high risk individuals (e.g., child care facilities)
• Equitable distribution of program benefits across the spectrum of household socio-economic status within the community.

 
Communities that have undertaken such proactive initiatives have been able to significantly reduce the number of LSLs in their community, some over a relatively short period of time.  Others were able to confirm that there was limited use of lead pipe for service lines and address those homes where it was present.  Example communities include:

• Framingham, Massachusetts
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Medford, Oregon
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Spokane, Washington

Check out Environmental Defense Fund’s website for more examples.

Source: Suez North America

Coordinating replacement with other entities

Routine work also includes rehabilitation of wastewater infrastructure. Utilities can coordinate sewer lateral and LSL replacement. While often a different utility, gas service line replacement can also be coordinated with LSL replacement. However, these initiatives do not always occur in neighborhoods with LSLs, and coordination with other programs needs to be mutually beneficial, so coordination may not always help accelerate LSL replacement.

​Work by other entities including other city services or road reconstruction can also provide an opportunity to advance individual LSL replacements. Approval of this type of coordinated effort is needed from water boards, local governments, and utility commissions.

​Coordination in the field is important:
Field work, particularly work in the public right-of-way with its impact on traffic and work involving coordination with homeowners and their contractors, can lead to only part of an LSL being replaced for some period of time (hours, days, weeks, or longer).

Unplanned initiatives

Emergency repairs that find LSLs

​Water mains, service lines, and valves can begin to leak and need to be repaired. In making repairs, field crews can discover an LSL. There is an opportunity to replace the entire service line if coordination with the customer (and occupants) is possible.  Emergency repairs occur 365 days a year and at all hours; coordinating a full replacement can be challenging under some emergency repair conditions.

Customer-initiated replacement

​In some instances a customer may want or need to replace an LSL on private property. In this case, they can coordinate with the water utility to achieve complete replacement of the LSL. Some utilities have processes to replace the portion in the public right of way when the customer replaces the portion on private property.

​Maintenance activities that find LSLs

Maintenance activities are a routine part of providing water service. Meters are replaced, curb stops fail and must be replaced, curb boxes are replaced, as well as other activities. Such field work can lead to the discovery of an LSL but do not typically involve the equipment needed to replace a service line. These activities can support developing a sound inventory of LSL locations and initiate coordination with customers to replace LSLs. With positive field confirmation of lead, there is an opportunity to pursue full replacement as part of the maintenance activity (if the activity can be delayed) or as a part of a more systematic long-term initiative

Learn about discouraging partial LSL replacement.