The LSLR Collaborative encourages local communities to accelerate the full replacement of lead service lines (LSLs) through a collaborative effort at the local level. With the reduction of lead in new plumbing material, the next large opportunity for reducing risk of exposure to lead in drinking water is the removal of LSLs.

​The roadmap poses a set of questions to help community leaders, elected officials, drinking water professionals, and public health professionals accelerate full lead service line replacement and tailor an initiative to local circumstances. It also includes links to information and examples from other communities. This information will help a community get from the initial decision to remove lead service lines to a plan ready for implementation.
Communities vary in size, types of public water systems, number of LSLs, responsibility for LSLs, resources, and governance. Thus, the roadmap does not prescribe one approach to LSL initiatives. One size does not fit all. Rather, the roadmap is intended to support each community in a collaborative effort to develop their own LSL replacement initiative.    

​LSL replacement is not a simple task, nor is engaging in a meaningful public dialogue on concerns related to children’s health and on solutions that may be expensive. This set of tools focuses on helping a community get from the initial decision to remove LSLs to planning and implementing the removal by providing a resource for local leaders to assess their options and develop a strategy tailored to their community. Leadership in starting these conversations could come from any sector: elected officials, the local public water system, public health agencies, or community-based or business organizations.  

​Topics covered in this roadmap are organized into four sections:
  1. Getting Started
  2. Legal Factors
  3. Funding
  4. Plan Development
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​​The Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative encourages ongoing feedback on how to improve these tools and resources. Please provide feedback.