LSLR Collaborative
  • Home
  • Roadmap
    • Getting Started
    • Legal Factors
    • Funding
    • Plan Development
  • Replacement
    • Approaches to Replacement
    • Preparing an Inventory
    • Understanding Replacement Techniques
    • Communicating About LSLs
    • Coordinating Replacement
  • Equity
    • Guide to Equity Analysis
    • Coordination and Partnership
    • Defining Disadvantaged Communities
    • Equity Tools and Data Sources
  • Policies
    • Community Access to Funding
    • Helping Consumers
    • Requiring LSL Replacement
    • Engaging other Programs
    • Risk Communication Improvement
  • EPA's LCR
    • Key Terms
    • Key Requirements and Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Intro to LSL Replacement
    • LSL Replacement in the News
    • Child Care and Schools
    • Role of Public Health Professionals
    • Webinars >
      • Upcoming Webinars and Events
    • Case Examples
    • Filling Data Gaps
    • Recursos en Español
    • Downloadable Resources
    • Matchmaking Survey
  • About Us
    • FAQs
    • Feedback

Communicating for Multiple Audiences

General Public – This includes everyone in the community. In most communities there are large numbers of residents whose homes do not have lead service lines (LSLs).

High-Risk Groups – Households with children 6 years of age and younger, infants, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding are a key group for outreach. These households are at risk from the effects of lead on neurological development and motivated to take action. 

Non-English speaking residents – If significant portions of the population in your community have limited English language skills, outreach materials must contain information in the appropriate language(s), including the importance of the notice, contact information and instructions on where persons can obtain translation or seek assistance in multiple languages.  Also consider identifying community organizations that can communicate in relevant languages to assist with translation and communication.  Don’t overlook any non-English media outlets for message dissemination.

To find information on the languages spoken in your community, see the US Census Bureau’s Web site. The census database includes answers to questions about literacy levels, what languages besides English are spoken at home and the level of English proficiency.​
Additional Resources:
  • Spanish resources from the Collaborative
  • Creating a Strategic Communications Plan
Examples of translated materials:​​
  • ​Washington Department of Health​: Translations for Public Notice
  • ​​​San Francisco Public Utilities Commission : Lead Information ​
  • Portland Water Bureau: Lead Related Brochures​
  • Denver Water: After Lead Service Line Replacement
Partnering with community groups improves public outreach 
​
“We translated our canvasing materials into Spanish and offer translation services at our community learning meetings. Even when not many people show up who need the services, it sends a powerful message about partnership.”

Read more on this case example from Chelsea, MA.
Low-Literacy Audiences – Some individuals in your community may possess limited reading skills. Note that literacy studies have found about half of adults cannot read at an 8th grade level, and about 45 million read below a 5th grade level. To reach these individuals, print materials must be written as simply and concisely as possible and should contain graphical representations of key messages and actions. Low-literacy groups are more likely to rely on non-print forms of communications.

Independent Actors and Surrogates – LSL replacement involves plumbers, rental housing owner / operators, child care facility owner / operators, code inspection staff, and others that are directly engaged in the process. The local public health and medical community, particularly obstetricians and pediatricians, have important opportunities to build awareness for the initiative. Civic organizations, like religious groups, are important for amplifying messages in some communities. ​

​Check out Cincinnati Water Work’s FAQ on their LSL Replacement Program specifically for plumbers.
Home
About Us
Feedback
The goal of the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative is to accelerate voluntary lead service line replacement in communities across the United States.
Links to external resources do not constitute an endorsement from the Collaborative.
  • Home
  • Roadmap
    • Getting Started
    • Legal Factors
    • Funding
    • Plan Development
  • Replacement
    • Approaches to Replacement
    • Preparing an Inventory
    • Understanding Replacement Techniques
    • Communicating About LSLs
    • Coordinating Replacement
  • Equity
    • Guide to Equity Analysis
    • Coordination and Partnership
    • Defining Disadvantaged Communities
    • Equity Tools and Data Sources
  • Policies
    • Community Access to Funding
    • Helping Consumers
    • Requiring LSL Replacement
    • Engaging other Programs
    • Risk Communication Improvement
  • EPA's LCR
    • Key Terms
    • Key Requirements and Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Intro to LSL Replacement
    • LSL Replacement in the News
    • Child Care and Schools
    • Role of Public Health Professionals
    • Webinars >
      • Upcoming Webinars and Events
    • Case Examples
    • Filling Data Gaps
    • Recursos en Español
    • Downloadable Resources
    • Matchmaking Survey
  • About Us
    • FAQs
    • Feedback