Information for Utilities on Lead Service Replacement

Information for Utilities on Lead Service Replacement

Madison, WI replaced all lead service lines (private and public), using a program that reimbursed customers up to a fixed amount. Reimbursements were funded with revenue water tower antenna rental revenue.

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Plumber inspecting water pipes

Line Replacement Reimbursement Program

Pittsburgh Water has a reimbursement program where households that voluntarily and proactively replaced private service lines are eligible for a reimbursement or stipend offsetting upfront replacement costs. Subsidies in the program are available for income-qualified residents; however, all customers can receive a $1000 stipend.

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Guidance

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Grant Application Bootcamp

This tool allows utilities to assess the business case for implementing a discount program for low-income customers to help provide safe and affordable water and sanitation to everyone in their communities.

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Guidance

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources for drinking water

This webpage features resources that can assist states and drinking water systems with the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021” (IIJA).

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Guidance

Water Affordability – Water Finance Center

Explore creative strategies, resources, and pricing structures for consumers and utilities to better understand and address the need for affordable drinking water and wastewater services.

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Guidance

2024 Water Affordability Needs Assessment

EPA’s 2024 Water Affordability Needs Assessment Report provides an estimate of the water affordability burden felt among households and utilities across the nation.

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Guidance

Tapping into Lead Service Line Funding Opportunities

Explore a list of funding and financing resources utilities can consider to fund lead service line replacement.

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Guidance

Drinking Water 123: Finance Your System

Best practices in setting fair and viable water rates, and options for utilities to finance capital improvement projects to ensure your community’s drinking water system remains safe and sustainable.

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EPA Water Technical Assistance

Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA)

EPA’s Water TA connects communities to experts who help assess and implement solutions for their drinking water, sewage, and stormwater needs, including LSLR.

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Federal funding

Environmental Finance Centers

EPA has selected 29 Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) to deliver targeted technical assistance to local governments, states, Tribes, Territories, and non-governmental organizations to protect public health and safeguard the environment. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the selected EFCs will help communities access federal funding for water infrastructure improvements.

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Milwaukee is one of the few cities in the country with a prioritization plan to ensure neighborhoods likely to suffer the most severe impacts from lead poisoning get their pipes replaced first. In consultation with a community-based group, Coalition for Lead Emergency (COLE), and following a public engagement process, Milwaukee included in an ordinance three indicators to prioritize where LSLs will be removed first:

  1. The area deprivation index (ADI), which is a compilation of social determinants of health
  2. The percentage of children found to have elevated lead levels in their blood when tested for lead poisoning
  3. The density of lead service lines in the neighborhood.

Read more here.