Co-authored by Karel Fellow Jamie Armstrong
For ten years, the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative has supported local leaders in accelerating the full replacement of lead service lines in communities across the United States. As a joint effort of 29 national organizations, including NLC, the Collaborative provides resources and a roadmap for developing and implementing a lead service line replacement program, including funding options, suggested policies and practices and information on complying with federal requirements.
To celebrate ten years of service to many communities, the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative recently held a recognition event honoring people and programs that have demonstrated excellence across 10 categories reflecting the principles and practices of the Lead and Service Replacement Collaborative.
Below is a look at some of the local governments leading the way on lead service line replacement. A full list of honorees is also available.
Outstanding Leadership in Lead Service Line Replacement – Lead Free DC
DC Water launched the Lead Free DC initiative in 2019, with the goal of replacing Washington, D.C.’s 42,000 service lines with lead or galvanized iron with copper pipes. In Fall 2025, the city celebrated its 10,000th replacement. Lead Free DC is also committed to equitable access and delivery to lead service line replacement, as well as to workforce development. Through the Community Activator workforce initiative, DC Water trains and deploys residents as full-time, paid Community Activators to increase homeowner participation.
Excellence in Community Engagement – Grand Rapids Water System Lead Line Replacement Program
Grand Rapids Water System was honored for its innovative communication tools and stakeholder engagement strategies embedded in their lead line replacement program. For example, to engage property owners in private side replacement, the water system implemented a two-pronged approach for securing agreements: multi-channel outreach (email, text, phone) and an accessible online portal. Additionally, the water system initiated a customer feedback survey after a property’s lead service line was replaced to receive feedback about the overall experience and process.
Enabling Equal Access to Lead Service Line Replacement and Associated Jobs – Lead Free St. Paul Regional Water Services
St. Paul Regional Water Service aims to replace its approximately 29,500 lead or unknow service line over a ten-year period. They have achieved an approximate 95 percent participation rate in project areas by offering free replacements and delivering a strong education and outreach program that includes multilingual materials, targeted community engagement and diverse communication methods. The program utilizes a combination of census tract data, block group prioritization and vulnerability indices to identify neighborhoods most at risk from lead exposure and ensure a data-driven and equitable approach.
Efficiency & Technical Innovation – Milwaukee Water Works LSL Replacement Program
By utilizing comprehensive digital infrastructure that tracks replacement progress, canvassing outcomes, customer engagement and construction performance in real-time, Milwaukee Water Works is able to achieve cost efficiency in its replacement program that stretches limited state and federal funding significantly further. The city was recognized for its technical and operational efficiencies and innovations, such as trenchless construction, block level sequencing, advanced digital tools and collaboration among city departments, contractors and community organizations.
Fiscal Savvy and Funding Innovation – Wilmington, Del. Water Lead Reduction Program
While securing funding and financing for lead service line replacement is a challenge for many communities, Wilmington’s water utility was recognized for its successful advocacy campaign to secure grant funding from the state. By making a compelling case based on the presence of significant low-income neighborhoods within the service area, the concentration of environmental justice areas and the disproportionate burden that aging water infrastructure and lead service connections placed on vulnerable populations, the state revised its criteria. The city was subsequently awarded significant funding for lead service line replacement and related transmission and distribution improvements.
Elected Leader – Mayor Nathaniel George Booker, Village of Maywood, Ill.
As an elected official, Mayor Nathaniel George Booker of Maywood played a critical role in promoting, prioritizing and ensuring that essential resources were made available to support the replacement of lead service lines throughout the community. Through a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Get the Lead Out Initiative, the village is working to identify and replace lead pipes and secure funding for improvements. “Every child, every family and every resident deserves access to safe, clean drinking water without the risk of lead exposure. In Maywood, we understand that investing in critical infrastructure is an investment in our people, our neighborhoods and our future,” said Mayor Booker.
Next Steps for Local Leaders
As communities across the country work toward compliance with EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements drinking water regulation, NLC developed a series of resources that clarify the requirements, provide recommendations and share best practices. Visit the NLC Lead and Copper Rule Series hub to learn more.
EPA estimates there are 4 million lead service lines (PDF) across the country, not including lead connectors or goosenecks. A recent analysis by the American Water Works Association (PDF) estimates the average cost for a full replacement of a lead service line is $12,500, indicating that the total cost of replacing the nation’s 4 million lead service lines to be approximately $50 billion under current regulatory requirements.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 provided federal funding for lead service line replacement projects, but the funding ends on Sept. 30, 2026.
Local leaders need Congress to reauthorize funding for programs that support local efforts to fully replace all lead service lines in the country, as federally mandated.
NLC is asking Congress to maintain the current authorization and appropriations amount from the infrastructure law in the next water bill, including $5.85 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and grant programs that help reduce lead in drinking water through infrastructure and/or treatment improvements or facility remediation in schools and child care facilities.
Act Now
Let your Members of Congress know the water projects that are essential to your community.
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