Approaches to Lead Service
Line Replacement
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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 where regulatory agencies, local government, and local public health experts support the community’s approach. 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:
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Water infrastructure renewal programs
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LSLs can be replaced as the community replaces and rehabilitates its distribution system infrastructure. Such programs include replacing or rehabilitating existing water mains, hydrants, valves, valve pits, service connections and meters. When working in a portion of the service area with LSLs, there is an opportunity to include LSL replacement in the planned replacement or rehabilitation work.
Routine activities that are basic elements of water service also can provide an opportunity to find and replace LSLs. Meters are replaced, curb stop valves fail and must be replaced, curb boxes containing valves are replaced, as well as other activities. Such field work can lead to the discovery of an LSL but does not typically involve the equipment needed to replace a service line. As these activities occur, they can support developing a sound inventory of where LSLs are located so future replacement can be planned. This also creates an opportunity to coordinate immediate replacement with the customer. |
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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
- Renewing infrastructure in coordination with road resurfacing or neighborhood revitalization programs
- Water system leak reduction programs
Utility-initiated replacement
Utilities sometimes dedicate a portion of their budget to target LSL replacement. Funding and rebate programs vary by utility. Regulators, including water boards, local governments, and utility commissions, generally need to approve programs.
Planned replacement
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Water utilities routinely replace and rehabilitate existing water mains. When working in a portion of the service area with LSLs, there is an opportunity to include full LSL removal/replacement in the planned replacement or rehabilitation of the main. Water utilities can also be engaged in activities that engage the customer on multiple issues. For example, a system may be engaged in an active effort to:
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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. |
Source: Suez North America
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.
Coordinating replacement with other work
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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 be the practical alternative. 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). |
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.
Discouraging partial replacements
Partial replacements are likely to increase lead levels for a potentially lengthy period of time after replacement. While the goal of the Collaborative is to help communities advance full LSL replacement and minimize partial replacements, there are numerous obstacles that may prevent this from occurring. To ensure success for full LSL replacements, partial LSL replacements will need to be viewed only as a temporary, stopgap measure.
The goal is replacing LSLs in their entirety. When it is only feasible to remove a portion of the LSL, the balance of the replacement should be accomplished as soon as practical. If completing the replacement requires more than a few weeks, the community’s replacement effort should track the location of partial replacements and include measures to prompt completing the replacement process.
An accelerated LSL replacement initiative must identify effective strategies for the specific community. Challenges may differ between communities of different sizes and for those where homes rely on private wells. Common obstacles include lack of funds, difficulty in scheduling work, and a lack of coordination. These obstacles exist both for the water system and its customers. Communities must recognize these challenges and participate in developing solutions to encourage the acceleration of full LSL replacement.
The goal is replacing LSLs in their entirety. When it is only feasible to remove a portion of the LSL, the balance of the replacement should be accomplished as soon as practical. If completing the replacement requires more than a few weeks, the community’s replacement effort should track the location of partial replacements and include measures to prompt completing the replacement process.
An accelerated LSL replacement initiative must identify effective strategies for the specific community. Challenges may differ between communities of different sizes and for those where homes rely on private wells. Common obstacles include lack of funds, difficulty in scheduling work, and a lack of coordination. These obstacles exist both for the water system and its customers. Communities must recognize these challenges and participate in developing solutions to encourage the acceleration of full LSL replacement.
Additional measures when conducting partial replacements
- Pursue a full LSL replacement.
- Prior to restoring water service, flush the service line prior to use by occupants.
- As a contingency, occupants should consider using filters meeting ANSI/NSF 53 certified for lead removal for a period of time after a partial LSL replacement.
- The use of bottle water for consumption may be an alternative to filters.
Connecting a copper line to lead line may cause a chemical reaction between these two dissimilar materials. In order to minimize the potential for release of lead due to galvanic corrosion, a non-conductive plastic coupling should be used. An additional electrical system ground may be required per electrical code.
