State decision makers
Principle 4
Expand Access to Clean Drinking Water for All
Key Actions
Key Action 1
Foster data transparency and accessibility
Boost data transparency and community awareness of health risks.
Mandate and maintain public lead service line inventories
Mandate and maintain public lead service line (LSL) inventories to ensure transparency and accountability of all water systems. While the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) requires annual updates to LSL inventories, states can also adopt similar or stricter requirements. A state-level mandate safeguards all water systems from potential federal policy shifts while ensuring consumers have access to the most accurate information. To ease the burden on water systems, states can host these inventories in an accessible online database, promoting public awareness and informed decision-making.
Strengthen public notification for lead service lines
Strengthen public notification for lead service lines to ensure communities are aware of whether they could be impacted. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvement mandates outreach within 30 days of submitting the first inventory (by Nov. 15, 2024) and annually thereafter, for customers with lead service lines, galvanized lines requiring replacement (GRR), and unknown material service lines. States can go further by requiring faster notifications, such as within a set number of days instead of annually, and mandating prompt updates when new lead service lines are discovered. Strengthening these requirements enhances transparency, protects public health, and empowers residents with the information they need to take action.
Adopt lead pipe disclosure legislation
Require disclosure of lead service lines (LSLs) at the time of home purchase or rental agreement. States should require disclosure or confirmation that the service line is not made of lead during real estate and rental transactions to empower buyers and renters to make informed decisions and facilitate customer engagement. Alternatively, states can adopt legislation to require LSLs to be replaced at the time of sale.
Monitor progress through mapping initiatives
Monitor replacement progress with statewide mapping of inventories. State agencies can provide visibility on the progress of lead service line (LSL) replacements across the state by developing and maintaining up-to-date GIS-based inventory maps. When administrative agencies create centralized LSL inventory maps, it removes the need for water systems to develop their own dashboards, thus reducing the burden on medium and small systems. Additionally, making this data publicly accessible helps residents understand the presence of LSLs and also demonstrates where progress is being made. By making this progress public, it may incentivize expedited removal of LSLs across the state.
Toolbox
Lead service line inventory requirements
LSL disclosures
LSL inventory and notification templates
State-wide LSL inventory maps & dashboards
Key Action 2
Prioritize replacements in high-risk communities
Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, making it essential to prioritize replacements where they live, learn, and play. With limited resources, state action to ensure that high-risk communities and consumers have their lead pipes removed quickly can ensure the highest public health benefit to the state’s constituents.
Support and strengthen prioritization plans
Support and strengthen prioritization plans to help water systems streamline lead service line replacement. Many systems have already invested significant time and resources in community outreach and data analysis to identify key risk factors. States can assist water systems in developing prioritization plans by allocating funding or offering technical assistance. Showcasing strong prioritization plans and methodologies at the state level is a cost-effective way to guide and empower municipalities, ensuring efficient and replacement efforts that yield the highest public health benefits.
Mandate prioritization of lead pipe replacement for high-risk populations
States can direct resources where they are needed most and protect public health by enacting legislation that requires utilities to prioritize lead pipe replacement for high-risk groups. These include households with young children, pregnant individuals, and low-income residents. These populations are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure:
Infants, children & pregnant women.
Children and infants face the greatest risk of permanent negative health impacts from lead exposure. States can require that buildings that more commonly shelter children and pregnant women, such as single-family homes and OB-GYN/pediatric clinics, gain priority in lead pipe replacement. With complete inventories, census data can also assist with identifying buildings or neighborhoods with many children and infants for higher priority.
Underserved & under-resourced communities.
Underserved communities, such as those that are low-income, rural, or communities of color, tend to have higher exposure to lead from multiple sources, which plays a part in historic and generational negative health impacts.
Areas with older construction (pre-1950s).
In addition to construction before the national ban on new lead service lines in 1989, communities with infrastructure installed before the 1950s face the danger of exposure due to service lines currently reaching the end of their material lifespan. This is the case for all service lines, but in particular, decaying lead service lines installed may no longer be effectively prevented from contaminating water with corrosion control.
Schools.
In addition to prioritizing permanent and temporary residences of young children, schools and childcare facilities should receive focused attention due to the consistent, long-term exposure children face in these settings. Children spend a significant portion of their early development in schools, making clean drinking water in these environments critical to public health and equity. It is important to note that water systems have no oversight over drinking water compliance in schools since these are regulated by the State.
State legislation can strengthen protections by mandating high-frequency water testing, setting lower action levels for lead concentrations, and prioritizing these facilities for full lead service line replacement. Policies like those adopted in Wisconsin offer a model for holistic protection, ensuring children are safeguarded both before and after infrastructure improvements are complete.
Toolbox
Prioritizing replacements in high-risk populations
Key Action 3
Create and promote a public education program
Effective public education is key to getting consumers involved in lead service line replacement. Despite federal regulations and programs, many remain unaware of the need for and associated benefits of lead pipe replacement. States can step in to support and amplify water utility outreach and engagement efforts, ensuring widespread public awareness and participation.
Provide a database of templates and simplified public-facing materials
Provide a database of templates and simplified public-facing materials for water systems and local governments to distribute in public education campaigns regarding lead in drinking water. State agencies should consider partnering with water systems to ease the administrative burden of developing and implementing public education campaigns related to lead service line replacement.
By providing centralized resources, technical assistance, and outreach toolkits, states can help ensure consistent, effective communication while allowing local utilities to focus on project delivery. These partnerships can enhance public trust, improve customer participation, and promote equity in how information is shared and understood
The state can assist with developing templates or ready-to-use materials such as:
- Press statements and press events
- Announcements on the state’s website
- Educational videos
- QR codes and flyers
- Social media posts and podcasts
- Direct mailers
- Database of existing community media and communications networks, such as the community-led radio program in Benton Harbor
- Front door hangers
- Digital boards and yard signs (visuals)
- Commercials
Launch a state-wide communications campaign to raise awareness
Launch a state-wide communications campaign to raise awareness of the risks of lead exposure and the benefits of lead pipe replacement. Beyond the public notices required for consumers with lead, galvanized requiring replacement, and unknown material lines, states can help water systems and municipalities empower individual consumers with information about actions they can take in their own homes and communities. To do so, the state can help residents be informed by creating materials describing occupant lead service line testing and occupant rights regarding lead service lines.
Use pitcher distribution programs to educate and engage
Many water systems provide certified water pitchers or filters to residents when a lead service line is found or during pipe replacement work. These filters help reduce lead exposure, which can temporarily increase during construction. Pitcher and filter distribution programs are also a great chance to:
- Share important information about lead pipe replacement
- Educate residents on how to stay safe
- Encourage sign-ups for service line replacement
