LSLR Collaborative
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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
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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