Community Organizers
6 Principles for Replacing Lead Pipes
Empowered communities drive change. This plan outlines six key principles to help community organizations replace lead pipes faster, fully, and forever—ensuring safe, lead-free drinking water for all.
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We are actively working on a complete Community Organizers’ Roadmap. In the meantime, please see a preview of what’s to come below.
6 Key Principles for Communities to Act on Lead Pipe Replacement
In any lead service line replacement program, there are six key principles where community organizers make a difference between failure and success. Each principle is paired with actionable steps, tools, and additional readings to support effective program implementation.
Get started by exploring each of these principles:
Ensure long-term sustainability
Track progress and assess outcomes
Join local replacement efforts
Reduce costs and boost community benefits
Work with local utility and municipal leaders to remove lead pipes
Educate the community on risks and management
Highlighting Community Action
Organizations across the country are taking action to encourage local municipal and water utility leaders to remove lead pipes and ensure their community has access to safer drinking water. Join them by taking action for your community!
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Share your success, and help inspire others!
Did you know?
Avoids Costly Public Health Crises
Even at low exposure, lead can harm brain development in children, leading to:
- Lower IQ
- Reading and learning disabilities
- Shortened attention spans
- Behavioral issues
Homes built before 1986 are at risk
Lead plumbing wasn’t federally banned until 1986, meaning older homes may still have lead service lines and internal lead plumbing.
Lead harms adults too
In adults, lead exposure raises the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and even premature death. During pregnancy, it’s a major risk factor for preeclampsia.
9 Million lead pipes are still in use
Millions of homes still get water through toxic lead pipes. Replacing them is essential to ensure safe drinking water and protect public health.
Replacing lead pipes creates job opportunities
Lead pipe replacement creates immediate opportunities for plumbers and contractors, strengthening the local workforce with steady, shovel-ready work.
Replacing aging lead pipes improves water service
Aging lead pipes are prone to leaks and breaks. Replacing them ensures long-term reliability, reliable revenue for utilities to make crucial investments in infrastructure, and safer drinking water for communities.
Check out our Lead Pipes 101
Learn more about lead in drinking water, including its negative impacts and practical solutions to get the lead out
