In the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that all water systems replace lead service lines within 10 years of the compliance date. An estimated 9.2 million lead service lines deliver water across the U.S. To meet the EPA's goal of full replacement, municipalities must develop targeted lead service line replacement programs.

A successful lead service line replacement program requires several key components, from developing an accurate service line inventory to securing funding for replacement. However, its success ultimately hinges on engaging the community. In this blog post, we discuss the five pillars of an effective lead service line replacement program and explain why partnering with experts can help your community ensure safe, lead-free drinking water for residents.

Five pillars of a successful lead service line replacement program

When we talk about lead service line replacement, we mean replacing any portion of the pipe that connects the water main to a home's plumbing. Lead can contaminate drinking water through lead pipes, copper pipes with lead solder, brass or bronze faucets and fixtures, and galvanized pipes.

Because lead poses a serious health risk, municipalities must identify and replace lead service lines on public and private properties across communities.

Develop an accurate inventory	Engage the community strategically
Establish a robust funding network	Plan replacements based on risk
Provide resident-centered support

Develop an accurate inventory

Establishing an inventory of service line materials and identifying the location of lead service lines is a key step in replacing them. The final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) require water systems to create initial inventories of all lead service lines, regardless of their use or condition and keep them updated. Also, water systems should prioritize developing replacement plans for communities disproportionately affected by lead exposure.

Notably, water systems do not need to complete the entire inventory process before designing and implementing their lead service line replacement programs. The following table highlights regulatory requirements that water systems should comply with to develop an accurate inventory. 

Regulatory requirements for developing an accurate inventory

Material classification. All service line materials should be classified as lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), non-lead and lead status unknown. If ownership is split, material classification should be for the system and the customer side.

Submission deadlines. All water systems should have developed an initial inventory by now (the submission date was Oct. 16, 2024). Updated inventories should be submitted annually or triennially based on lead tap sampling frequency.

Publicly accessible consumer confidence report. Water systems must make the inventory publicly accessible, including a location identifier for each lead service line and Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR). Water systems serving more than 50,000 people must provide inventories online.

Service line consumer notification. All community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems must provide notification of a known or potential service line containing lead when applicable. The initial notification must be provided within 30 days of completion of the initial service line inventory.

Water systems can develop an accurate inventory using state-approved methods for identifying lead service lines, including predictive modeling that involves:

• Developing a data management plan.
• Evaluating historical records.
• Verifying service line material for a randomly selected sample of service lines.
• Demonstrating the accuracy of the predictive model for the supply region.
• Ensuring transparency by submitting model results. 

Engage the community strategically

Community engagement is crucial in prioritizing lead service line replacements. Once lead service lines are identified, water systems should educate residents about potential health risks of lead in drinking water, how to determine lead in drinking water, and ways to reduce exposure through lead service line replacement and other related topics.

The EPA provides template outreach materials to help water systems inform and engage residents in lead service line replacement programs. These customizable resources include:

• Drinking water lead reduction program frequently asked questions.
• Identifying lead service lines – Help us get the lead out.
• The customer guide for identifying service lines.
• Drinking water service line material reporting form.

Additionally, the EPA developed an interactive step-by-step guide to help homeowners identify lead service lines in their homes. Water systems should also educate customers on lead and copper sampling and using point-of-use drinking water filters when needed.

Establish a robust funding framework

Fully replacing a lead service line can cost between $6,000 and $14,000. The high cost of replacing lead service lines is one of the major challenges to developing a lead service line replacement program.

To address financial barriers, the EPA has announced $9 billion in funding to help replace up to 1.7 million lead service lines across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $15 billion toward lead service line replacement through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The following table highlights key funding resources available to support communities in identifying and replacing lead service lines. 

Funding resources for identifying and replacing lead service lines

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). It provides financial assistance to publicly and privately owned community water systems and can be used to facilitate lead service line replacement on known lead services through: Infrastructure replacement.  Corrosion control optimization.  Lead testing and education.  Interim/ emergency protocols. In a lead service line replacement program, the eligible DWSRF expenses include: Planning, designing and completing service line replacement. Updating Lead Service Line Inventory upon project completion.

Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. This establishes the Small, Underserved and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Grant to assist public water systems in underserved, small and disadvantaged communities to meet Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements. The eligible entities for this non-competitive grant include communities that serve a population of fewer than 10,000 people.  The Act also includes the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water grant — a new EPA grant program for lead reduction projects. Community water systems, municipalities, states,  inter-municipal agencies and nongovernmental organizations are some of the entities eligible for the grant.

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). The federal loan and guarantee program funds various water infrastructure projects that support clean and safe water access and help communities address challenges, such as lead service line replacement, water quality issues and aging water infrastructure.

Plan replacements based on risk

The final LCRI prohibits partial lead and GRR replacement unless conducted as part of an emergency repair or in coordination with planned infrastructure work. While all water systems must replace lead service lines within 10 years, replacements should prioritize communities at the highest risk of lead exposure. An effective lead service line replacement program should prioritize replacements at locations such as schools and daycare centers and households with children.

Provide resident-centered support​

A successful lead service line replacement program depends on gaining residents' trust, securing their permission and educating them about the harmful effects of lead in drinking water. Residents may be aware of the lead pipes, but the costs of per-pipe replacement and the impact of construction work on their properties may deter them from moving forward. A lead service line replacement program can provide resident-centered support through:

• Providing resources for outreach and education through direct mail, postcards, door hangers, social media posts, newsletters, etc.
• Arranging community meetings and listening to residents to understand concerns about lead service line replacements.
• Providing technical assistance and educating about funding solutions for service line replacements.
• Sharing success stories and challenges with residents to improve replacement efforts. 

Building a successful lead service line replacement program with Fehr Graham

At Fehr Graham, we are committed to helping municipalities improve public health by building a successful lead service replacement program. Our team of licensed engineers can help you identify and inventory lead service lines, secure funding for system upgrades, design effective solutions and oversee the project to completion.

Partner with Fehr Graham today. Let's see how we can help you upgrade your community's drinking water infrastructure. 

Kyle Saunders is Fehr Graham’s Chief Strategy Officer. He has more than a decade of experience in municipal leadership and water infrastructure, including his previous role as Director of Public Works for the City of Rockford. Known for building high-performing teams and fostering collaboration across diverse organizations, Saunders leads Fehr Graham’s growth initiatives and improvement strategies. His ability to connect with clients and staff, lead through influence and tackle complex challenges with a forward-thinking mindset helps drive the firm’s growth and success. Reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Kyle Saunders is Fehr Graham’s President. He has more than a decade of experience in municipal leadership and water infrastructure, including his previous role as Director of Public Works for the City of Rockford. Known for building high-performing teams and fostering collaboration across diverse organizations, Saunders leads Fehr Graham’s growth initiatives and improvement strategies. His ability to connect with clients and staff, lead through influence and tackle complex challenges with a forward-thinking mindset helps drive the firm’s growth and success. Reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..