Central Arkansas Water's Lead Service Line Replacement Program: Investigation, Communication, Implementation

Journal AWWA

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​Key Takeaways

• News coverage of elevated lead levels has caused widespread concern among consumers about lead in their drinking water.
• In 2016, a multidisciplinary team of Central Arkansas Water (CAW) employees developed a lead service replacement program to improve public health protection.
• In a concerted effort that included stakeholder engagement, transparent communication with customers, and a deliberate inventory and replacement process, CAW effectively reduced customers’ exposure to lead in drinking water.

Media coverage of elevated lead levels in several communities has caused consumers everywhere to be more concerned with lead in their drinking water. Central Arkansas Water (CAW) takes its responsibility to protect public health seriously, and realizing the importance of consumer confidence in water quality, it has responded comprehensively to its community's concerns.


CAW follows best management practices to eliminate or reduce exposure to potentially harmful substances such as lead in the tap water delivered to its customers. In 2016, a multidisciplinary team of employees from the Administration, Information Services/Geographic Information Systems, Public Affairs/Communications, Water Distribution, and Water Quality Departments created a lead service line (LSL) replacement program to address any lead issues that could improve public health protection.
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