Community Organizers
Reduce Costs and Boost Community Benefits
Key Actions
Key Action 1
Advocate for no direct-cost options and financial assistance
Partial replacements often happen when property owners are responsible for replacement costs, typically affecting low-income households that may be unable to pay. To prevent increased lead exposure in vulnerable communities, advocate for full replacements at no direct cost to property owners, especially those part of vulnerable populations. Understanding how your city or town and utility fund replacement programs can strengthen your advocacy. Encourage local leaders to pursue funding strategies and assistance programs that make full replacement affordable and accessible to all households.
Explore grants and municipal financing
Water utilities often combine multiple funding sources to support lead service line replacement (LSLR), including low-interest State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, state or federal funding sources, and water rate revenue (see Water Utilities’ Roadmap Principle 2). State-defined disadvantaged communities (DACs) may also qualify for principal forgiveness or additional subsidies through the SRF, lowering both borrowing and replacement costs.
Some communities also offer financing programs for homeowners. For example, Columbus, Ohio provides no-interest, deferred-repayment construction loans to help homeowners replace their portion of a lead or galvanized service line before public-side replacement work is scheduled. While financing programs may not be affordable for every household, they can provide an additional pathway for completing replacements.
Spread replacement cost across the ratepayer base
Many water utilities fund replacement by spreading costs across the entire ratepayer base rather than only charging the households with lead service lines (LSLs). Small annual rate increases shared among all customers are often more affordable than requiring individual properties to bear the full cost of private-side replacement (see Water Utilities’ Roadmap, Principle 5, Key Action 4).
The impact on residents depends on the water utility’s rate structure and cost allocation. Well-designed rate structures can reduce the financial burden of water bills on low-income households while supporting full lead service line replacement (LSLR). Review your water utility’s rate structure and meet with utility staff to understand how projects are funded and how different customer groups may be affected.
Advocate for policies that increase and better distribute funding
Federal funding plays an important role in lead service line replacement (LSLR), but it is not enough to cover the full costs. You can advocate for state and local governments to establish dedicated funding sources to close funding gaps and expand access to replacement programs. By supporting state-level action, including dedicated LSL funding, innovative financing, and stronger prioritization policies, you can help ensure more communities have access to safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water.
Consider non-utility sources of revenue to fund LSLR
Local governments may also use non-utility revenue sources, such as municipal sales taxes, fees, or bonds, to support water infrastructure projects and reduce financial burdens on residents. As you learn more about your water utility’s funding and financing structure and practices, look for opportunities to support funding approaches that diversify revenue sources. For example, cities can generate revenue from public assets such as water towers leased for antenna installations or roof space. Work with local leaders and utility staff to understand what funding options are available for your community.
Toolbox
No direct-cost LSLR programs
LSLR funding sources
Water affordability
Funding LSLR through water rates
Key Action 2
Create job opportunities
Promote local hiring and workforce development
Lead service line replacement (LSLR) programs often take years to complete, especially in large cities, creating opportunities to build a local workforce. Advocating for local-hire targets can help ensure that economic benefits of replacement projects reach the communities most affected by lead exposure. Cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland have adopted local hiring requirements up to 30% for public works projects. Success depends on investing in a well-designed workforce development plan that actively recruits, trains, and supports community members, equipping them with the skills and experience needed to succeed in the public infrastructure sector.
Create a community-to-utility pipeline
Many cities and utilities offer workforce development programs that community organizers can help shape or support. By partnering with utilities, you can recruit participants from vulnerable neighborhoods and connect them to paid training opportunities in fields such as water treatment, pipefitting, or green infrastructure maintenance. Programs that combine classroom learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship can help build a skilled local workforce while ensuring economic benefits flow back into impacted communities.
Create partnerships to promote workforce development programs
Work with city agencies, utilities, and funders to design workforce development programs that provide residents with access to training and employment opportunities. Support such as tuition assistance, stipends, childcare, transportation, or tool allowances can reduce barriers to participation and expand access to careers in the water sector. You can also advocate for local hiring goals, apprenticeship programs, and workforce investments that connect residents to jobs created through lead service line replacement (LSLR) projects.