Water utilities in the process of planning a proactive LSL replacement initiative or reviewing ways to accelerate an existing initiative will find it useful to engage elected officials, the public health department, community leaders, state regulators and others early on in the process to get their perspectives and expertise. Additionally, local elected officials or water utilities could form an advisory group to discuss options and an internal team to help coordinate the planning process.

In getting started, people may not initially agree on whether and/or how to implement a full LSL replacement initiative. Some community members or public officials may place a priority on moving ahead aggressively, whereas others will have questions or concerns. A collaborative process that engages all voices in the community with respect for different perspectives will help to ensure everyone is on the same page and working together towards a common goal.

Another concrete early step is to learn how many and where LSLs are located in your community. The water utility is an important starting point to learn what information currently exists and what is needed to complete an inventory.

How much does it cost to replace LSLs and who pays?

Estimates for replacing LSLs vary, but a reasonable average is about $6,000 per line for full replacement from the water main to the residential structure. Total costs to the community depend on many factors, including the number of LSLs to be replaced, policies for who pays, and strategies for responding to individual requests and/or incorporating replacement in a long-term capital improvement budget.

Communities have taken different approaches to the question of who pays. In some communities, utilities are able to incorporate the costs of full replacement in their rate base, so that the community as a whole shares the costs. In other communities, the utility may not be allowed to do this and splits the costs with the private land owner, although the utility may provide assistance to low-income property owners. The Environmental Protection Agency and states have already begun to make funds available to communities.

Why is full LSL replacement important?

The goal is replacing LSLs in their entirety. Partial replacements are likely to increase lead levels for a potentially lengthy period of time after replacement. Partial replacements have been used when the utility rehabilitates the main line and only replaces the portion of the service line under the street or when a line on private property leaks. These cases often occur when the utility does not own the full LSL and is unable to obtain permission from the property owner to replace their portion.

Partial LSL replacements will need to be viewed only as a temporary, stopgap measure. When it is only feasible to remove a portion of the LSL, the balance of the replacement should be accomplished as soon as practical and other procedures, such as filters, should be implemented in the interim.

How are lead service lines replaced?

Options for replacement include:

• Open trench – Historical approach that typically requires cutting and breaking of surface material and excavation of soil from the point of connection to the main along the entire length of pipe to be replaced.
• Replacement on new routes – A pipe replacement technology whereby the discarded pipe is left in the ground and a new pipe is installed along a different route using a trenchless method such as impact moling or guided boring. Two access pits are excavated, one at the point of connection at the water main and the other at the curb stop. An additional access pit can be required at the building and at the water meter.
• Replacement using existing routes (pipe pulling, pipe splitting) – Currently the preferred technique. This approach removes or displaces existing pipe while simultaneously replacing it with a new pipe. Techniques include pipe pulling, which removes the existing pipe and pipe splitting, leaving the existing pipe in the ground but enabling the new pipe to be installed along the original route.

LSLs are typically replaced with copper or polyethylene pipe. Actual material choice will depend on site characteristics, installation approach, and local codes.

How can we get additional information?

The LSL Replacement Collaborative provides extensive information at www.lslr-collaborative.org. This site includes information about planning for LSL replacement, replacement practices, policies adopted by state and local governments to accelerate LSL replacement, and more.

The current members of the LSL Replacement Collaborative are (*Steering Committee members):

• American Public Health Association
• American Water Works Association*
• Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies*
• Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
• Blue Green Alliance
• Children’s Environmental Health Network*
• Clean Water Action*
• Environmental Defense Fund*
• Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
• Justice and Sustainability Associates
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• National Center for Healthy Housing
• National Association of County and City Health Officials
• National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
• National Association of Water Companies
• National Conference of State Legislatures
• National Environmental Health Association
• National League of Cities
• National Rural Water Association
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• Northeast Midwest Institute
• RESOLVE*
• Rural Community Assistance Partnership
• Trust for America’s Health
• United Parents Against Lead
• Water Research Foundation