Steps to Minimize Lead Release during

​ and After Replacement

A continuum of steps is often discussed for minimizing lead release during and after LSL replacement.

LSL replacement, particularly a partial replacement, creates the potential for continued elevated levels of lead for a period of days to months. However, the need for post-replacement measures is reduced when the entire service line is replaced, especially if there is little remaining leaded components in the home’s plumbing.

The table below analyzes steps to safeguard the health of residents before and after LSL replacement.

Action	Purpose	Pros	Cons
​Closing the house water shutoff valve prior to work beginning	Eliminate flow of debris into the home’s plumbing	Effective when conducting a full replacement	Not effective when conducting a temporary partial replacement; and requires access to home plumbing
​Full service line replacement with no additional measures beyond closing water shutoff valve	Full replacement eliminates source of lead (though other sources of lead may exist in home plumbing)	Avoids uncertainty associated with other measures and may be adequate	Requires access to home plumbing
Provision of POU filter certified to remove lead as per NSF 53 ​(customer education or provision)	To remove lead in the drinking water​; temporary safeguard	Filters have been demonstrated to remove lead even at high levels (up to 150 ppb); easy to obtain; and controls any remaining lead from LSL and lead from other plumbing components	Logistics of delivery; may require additional staff or overtime to distribute (if provided by community); finite timeframe for effectiveness; filters must be discarded at end of service life or exposure to lead may increase; relies on household to use filter, relying on consumer behavior to replace exhausted filters per instructions; and added cost to customer and/or provider
Use of bottled water for consumption immediately following replacement ​(customer education or provision)	​To eliminate exposure for short time period when lead levels may increase​; temporary safeguard	Easy to obtain, and alternative water source eliminates potential exposure	Logistics of delivery;m ay require additional staff or overtime to distribute (if provided by community); voucher fraud / theft (if provided by community)​; success rests with customer behavior; and financial impact to customer and/or provider
Flushing service after replacement by (utility and plumber)	​ Housekeeping practice	​Actively remove debris from construction activity	Supporting data is largely drawn from partial lead service line experience, requires access to home or reliance flushing from an available outside faucet, need to establish a suitable flushing protocol, and challenging in areas experiencing drought
​Ongoing regular flushing of water in home	Assures limited time for water in contact with remaining lead prior to consumption	Generally accepted good practice, but not particular to service line replacement; and refreshes corrosion control coating on internal plumbing	Sufficient frequency and volume may be challenging for customers to routinely achieve; difficult to obtain acceptance in drought-impacted areas; and plumber may be needed to remove aerators
Installation of a non-conductive plastic coupling	Reduce potential for galvanic corrosion	Eliminating contact between lead and copper reduces potential for lead release (only pertinent when lead pipe remains in use)	History of high failure rate in service line installations, need electrician to review electrical grounding and bonding practice, and grounding rods may be needed