Community Organizers
Activate the Community
Key Actions
Key Action 1
Educate residents on identifying lead pipes
Information on lead service lines (LSLs) located on private property is often incomplete, and many communities lack reliable records for both public and private sections. Making lead service line replacement (LSLR) a community effort is key. Providing residents with simple, low-cost tools and clear guidance to identify LSLs on their property builds awareness, empowers action, and strengthens community participation in the replacement program.
Build awareness of lead exposure risks
The U.S. banned new lead service lines (LSLs) in 1986, yet an estimated four million homes and businesses—disproportionately in low-income and communities of color—still rely on them. While most water utilities use corrosion control to reduce exposure, fully removing LSLs is the most effective way to reduce the risk of lead exposure through water. The presence of LSLs does not always result in lead in drinking water, especially in areas where utilities use corrosion-control treatment. Even after an LSL is replaced, lead may be present in drinking water if the premise plumbing contains lead and the water utility does not optimize its corrosion control.
For a comprehensive understanding of LSLs and current replacement efforts at both national and local levels, please refer to Lead 101.
Provide information and conduct scratch or magnet test
Community organizers can provide information or conduct demonstrations to help residents take simple steps to identify lead service lines (LSLs) at home. If there is uncertainty, encourage residents to contact their water utility for confirmation. Some utilities also offer free or low-cost water testing kits, which can be requested through customer service. It’s also important to remind residents that other sources, such as older plumbing, solder, or lead paint, may still pose a risk, particularly in older homes.
Two quick and common methods of in-home testing include:
Scratch test
Gently scratching the pipe with a coin can help identify the material. If the pipe turns from a dull gray to a shiny silver when scratched, it may indicate lead or galvanized iron—a yellow-orange color suggests copper.
Magnet test
You can also use a magnet to help determine the pipe material. Magnets will not stick to lead or copper piping, but they will stick to galvanized iron piping.
Acquire inventories and maps from the water utility
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) required water utilities to submit an initial lead service line (LSL) inventory to their state by October 2024. Yet many LSLs remain categorized as “unknown,” and some utilities have not yet submitted their initial inventories. All public water systems must make their inventories available to the public. The inventory should include addresses or other location information for known lead lines and the status of all lines, including unknowns.
Utilities serving more than 50,000 customers must post their inventories online. Some utilities will publish the inventories and maps on their websites; this is the first place to check before making any formal requests. If your water utility serves more than 50,000 people, the inventory access instructions may be included in your annual Consumer Confidence Report; these are also available online or by contacting the utility. See Principle 3 in Key Action 2 of this roadmap for how community organizers can partner with the utility to gather this information.
Initiate requests with the water utility to perform site inspections
If residents are unsure whether they have lead service lines (LSLs) or cannot verify the pipe material type from the available information, you can connect them with the utility to request an official inspection and ask whether the utility has records of LSLs in their neighborhood and can conduct a site visit. Utility staff should not ask for personal identification. If lead is confirmed, inform the neighborhood; other residents may also be affected. Encourage them to request inspections so the utility can check multiple properties and raise awareness more efficiently.
If an in-home test has been conducted and LSL inventory information is not available online, community organizations can help residents contact the utility to request an official inspection or to obtain service line records for their property. Community organizers can help by informing residents on how to make these requests and what to expect by coordinating with the utility.
Toolbox
Key Action 2
Guide the community on ways to minimize lead exposure
The complete removal of the lead source, whether it’s house paint, outdated plumbing, or lead service lines (LSLs), is the most effective way to prevent lead exposure. While LSLs remain active, they pose a persistent risk. In many communities, confirming whether a property has an LSL and replacing it can take time due to limited records, staffing, and funding.
Community organizations can conduct education campaigns in collaboration with the water utility to help residents take simple, practical steps to reduce potential lead exposure, while waiting for verification or replacement.
Promote the use of filters, water testing kits, and updated fixtures
Water utilities are required to provide certified water filters or bottled water when lead levels in the drinking water are elevated. During lead service line replacement (LSLR), utilities supply households with filters or pitchers, along with instructions for use, for added protection.
Community organizers can partner with the utility to promote awareness of and access to filters. This information can be shared via pamphlets, door hangers, and during community events or door-knocking. Utilities typically offer a customer line for requests, filter installation and usage details, testing kits, and the ability for organizations to host demonstrations.
Older plumbing fixtures, particularly those installed before 2014, may also contain lead. Replacing faucets and fixtures with lead-free products can further reduce risk. Many cities offer programs or funding for lead-abatement home repairs, and community organizations could include this information in engagement campaigns.
Connect residents to blood lead testing and health resources
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to lead exposure. Even low levels of lead can have serious health effects, particularly during early development.
For children, lead exposure can interfere with brain development and nervous system function. Pregnant women are also at increased risk. Lead stored in the body can affect fetal growth and brain development, leading to additional complications for the mother and baby.
Community organizers can help by informing residents how to:
- Contact a doctor or pediatrician to request a blood lead test. These tests are typically covered by health insurance.
- Reach out to local or state health departments for information on testing, including free or low-cost programs.
- Understand that even low levels of lead can be harmful, particularly for children and pregnant women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the lead level in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more. If elevated blood lead levels are detected among children or pregnant women in your community, notify the city or town and utility so they can determine whether the area where they are located is being prioritized for lead service line replacement (LSLR).
Mitigate the impact of lead exposure in schools and childcare facilities
Community organizers can use the water utility’s lead inventory data to determine whether a school or childcare facility has lead service lines (LSLs) (see Principle 2, Key Action 1). Utilities usually prioritize replacement in such facilities. However, if this information is unavailable, contact the school administrators to determine whether the buildings have been tested for lead in water, paint, or plumbing, and request the most recent results.
If testing has not been done, community organizations can help coordinate with local health and city or town officials and the utility to complete it. If tests reveal the presence of lead, ask for the remediation plan. Involving parents and caregivers in these discussions helps raise awareness and ensure that children learn and play in safe, healthy environments.
Toolbox
Key Action 3
Engage the community
Successful engagement of communities affected by the lead service line replacement (LSLR) project can significantly accelerate the process and minimize disruptions. A foundation for effective engagement involves a comprehensive understanding of community viewpoints, close coordination with the water utility staff overseeing the project, and the dissemination of accurate, culturally appropriate information.
Understand community perceptions and concerns
Understanding how residents view local government, drinking water safety, and the lead service line replacement (LSLR) program in general can inform the development of an effective communication and engagement campaign. Community organizers can work with the utility to gather this input through conversations with residents and trusted partners, including neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, community leaders, and advocacy groups. Brief surveys distributed online or at community events can also provide insight into identifying gaps in knowledge and awareness and to shape inclusive communication and engagement strategies that reflect community priorities and needs.
Hold community meetings throughout the process
Community meetings are most effective when planned in collaboration with other community leaders and organizations, and city or town and utility staff. Working with government staff helps ensure alignment with the facts, provides opportunities to incorporate community feedback into program design and implementation, and enables follow-up with the community on how their input shaped the final plan, strengthening transparency, trust, and accountability.
Some key principles for implementing inclusive public meetings include:
- Meet people where they are. Organize multiple meetings at convenient times across various locations, tailored to demographics such as families and older adults. Participate in existing community events or request time on established meeting agendas.
- Prioritize accessibility. Gather input through multiple channels, both in-person and online, to best match your community’s demographics. Ensure in-person meetings are fully accessible, ADA-compliant, and accessible by public transportation. Communication should also accommodate translation services, American Sign Language, and materials accessible to individuals with visual impairments.
- Make it fun. Include elements of engaging activities, such as show-and-tell stations at public meetings, gathering surveys before a local concert, and setting up a stall or booth at local festivals.
- Close feedback loops. A crucial takeaway is to maintain the engagement process beyond the completion of a planning document. This includes closing the feedback loop by returning to the participating communities to share the final outcomes or recommendations that incorporate their feedback.
Build trust through clear, reliable information
Effective community engagement starts with accurate, reliable information. Lead service line replacement (LSLR) programs can be complex, and residents often have questions about water quality, safety, costs, and project timelines. Community organizers can help residents make informed decisions by sharing trusted information and creating opportunities for dialogue.
Use resources available through the Lead Innovation Hub and other reputable sources to strengthen community understanding. Gather input from residents through surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations to better understand local concerns and information needs. By working closely with your water utility, you can access current information on safety protocols, water quality, and replacement activities.
Your city, utility, or local health department may already have educational materials available. Reviewing these resources early can help avoid duplication and ensure accurate and consistent messaging. You can strengthen these materials by ensuring they are fact-based, easy to understand, culturally appropriate, and reflective of community experiences.
When communicating with residents, focus on clear, balanced messaging that informs residents about the utility’s ongoing efforts without causing unnecessary alarm or distrust, while reinforcing shared goals of protecting public health and maintaining community confidence in the local government.
Create pathways for community feedback
Community organizers can help strengthen trust and transparency by ensuring residents know how to contact the city or town and the utility with questions, concerns, or feedback. This may include sharing information about the project’s community engagement manager, customer service line, hotline, texting service, or other communication channels. Community organizers can also serve as a conduit for community input by regularly communicating residents’ concerns, questions, and recommendations to lead service line (LSL) project staff throughout the project. Maintaining these two-way communication channels helps ensure residents remain informed, heard, and engaged during all phases of the lead service line replacement (LSLR) process.
Toolbox
Community engagement strategies
Community advisory committees
Right of entry
Key Action 4
Engage renters and landlords
In many low-income areas, renters often miss lead service line (LSL) updates because they may not receive direct water bills. Absentee landlords further complicate matters, as utilities need owner permission for replacements that tenants cannot authorize. This leaves renters at prolonged risk of exposure. Community organizers are vital in bridging this gap by educating both parties on their roles and replacement options.
Understand the local ordinances
Community organizers can contact the city or town and utility to learn whether any ordinances require landlords or property owners to participate in replacement programs. Some municipalities require full lead service line (LSL) removal, while others require disclosure; for example, Cincinnati, OH, requires landlords to inform tenants if LSLs are present. In some cases, cities may also offer financial assistance or donation-based funding to help low-income residents cover costs that are not fully subsidized. Understanding local rules and obligations can help community organizers develop strategies to collaborate more effectively with city officials, landlords, and tenants to expedite lead service line replacement (LSLR).
Enable renters to make informed decisions
When landlords are responsible for part of the cost of the lead service line replacement (LSLR) on their side, it may discourage their participation and delay action. Community organizers can facilitate collaboration between landlords and renters by:
- Using interactive, public maps to identify high-risk buildings and LSLs, if any, and partnering with utility staff, housing advocates, and tenant unions to inform renters about LSLR program schedules and potential expenses.
- Providing guidance to renters on how to urge landlords to act and cooperate with the LSLR program to facilitate access.
- Facilitating clear communication between the LSLR program officials, renters, and landlords throughout the process on matters such as timelines and access.
Educating landlords and property managers
Community organizers can serve as a bridge among the city or town, utilities, landlords, property managers, and landlord associations to facilitate education and negotiations. Because replacement can involve costs for the landlords, messaging should highlight practical benefits, such as:
- Improved property conditions and long-term value
- Protection of tenant health and well-being
- Reduced risk of future legal or liability issues
- Stronger tenant retention and reduced turnover
Advocate for more transparency in housing transactions
Community organizations can work with realtors, landlords, and tenant unions to improve awareness of where LSLs may be present and encourage transparency in housing decisions.
While some housing or real estate groups may be hesitant to discuss LSLs, framing disclosure as a means to build client trust and support informed decision-making can encourage participation. Landlords who maintain safe and healthy housing conditions may also benefit from stronger tenant retention and reduced turnover.
Partnering with housing advocates and community groups can further expand outreach, increase awareness, and encourage greater action from property owners.