7 Tips for Building a Technology-Enabled LSL Replacement Program

The lead service line replacement mandate is a critical initiative aimed at ensuring safe drinking water for communities across the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set stringent guidelines under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to address the pervasive issue of lead contamination in water systems. By 2037, all lead service lines and galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) lines must be replaced, and all unknowns must be identified. This mandate is not just a regulatory requirement but a public health imperative, as lead exposure can have severe health consequences, particularly for children and pregnant women.

In this blog, we will explore the best practices for developing and executing a successful “technology-enabled” lead service line replacement program, including tips for tracking customer outreach, managing post-replacement sampling, and ensuring compliance.

Key Steps for Developing and Executing a Successful Replacement Program

1. Planning and Preparation: The first step in any successful lead service line replacement program is thorough planning and preparation. This involves conducting a comprehensive inventory of existing service lines to identify those that need replacement. Utilizing tools like leadCAST can streamline this process by integrating GIS data, field-collected information, and construction management details into a single platform. This ensures that utilities have a clear and accurate understanding of the scope of work required.
2. Customer Outreach and Engagement: Effective customer outreach is crucial for the success of the replacement program. Utilities must document at least four outreach attempts to homeowners for lead service line replacements. This can include phone calls, emails, letters, and in-person visits. Tracking these attempts meticulously is essential to ensure a defensible program. Utilizing platforms like leadCAST can help manage and document these interactions, providing a centralized system for tracking customer engagement.
3. Implementation and Execution: Once the planning and outreach phases are complete, the actual replacement work can begin. It is important to have a well-coordinated approach to minimize disruptions to customers and ensure the work is completed efficiently. leadCAST supports the implementation of custom GIS layers, allowing utilities to visualize their data and track progress in real-time. This helps in managing the replacement process effectively and ensuring that all necessary steps are followed.
4. Post-Replacement Sampling and Compliance: After the replacement work is done, it is crucial to conduct post-replacement sampling to ensure that the new service lines are free from lead contamination. leadCAST's sampling module addresses the tap sampling compliance and noncompliance requirements outlined in the EPA’s LCRR and LCRI. This includes managing compliance pool data, tracking tap sample kits, and handling lab results. Ensuring that post-replacement sampling is conducted properly is essential for maintaining compliance and protecting public health.

Tips for Tracking Customer Outreach, Managing Post-Replacement Sampling, and Ensuring Compliance

1. Meticulous Tracking of Customer Outreach: As mentioned earlier, documenting customer outreach attempts is vital. Using a centralized platform like leadCAST can simplify this process by providing tools to log and track each interaction. This ensures that utilities can demonstrate their efforts to engage with customers and meet regulatory requirements.
2. Effective Management of Post-Replacement Sampling: Post-replacement sampling is a critical step in ensuring that the new service lines are safe. leadCAST's sampling module can be configured to meet a utility’s specific requirements, including the ability to order and track sample kits, manage lab results, and send exceedance notifications. This helps utilities maintain a high level of accuracy and compliance in their sampling processes.
3. Ensuring Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with the EPA’s LCRR and LCRI is non-negotiable. Utilizing tools like leadCAST can help utilities stay on top of their compliance obligations by providing access to data, automated notifications, and comprehensive reporting capabilities. This ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and that utilities can respond quickly to any issues that arise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, developing and executing a successful lead service line replacement program requires thorough planning, effective customer outreach, meticulous tracking, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Utilizing tools like leadCAST can streamline these processes and ensure that utilities can manage their replacement programs efficiently and accurately. By following the best practices outlined in this blog and leveraging the insights from industry experts, utilities can achieve their replacement goals and ensure safe drinking water for their communities.

The lead service line replacement mandate is a significant undertaking, but with the right approach and tools, utilities can navigate this challenge successfully. Starting replacement planning immediately, tracking customer outreach meticulously, managing post-replacement sampling effectively, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements are all critical steps in this process. By adopting these best practices, utilities can protect public health, meet regulatory obligations, and ensure the long-term safety of their water systems.