Clearing LCRI Hurdles

By Kevin Westerling,
@KevinOnWater

Assessing what lies ahead in the 10-year race to go lead-free, otherwise known as the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

It’s been clear for the past decade, since the Flint water crisis, that the U.S. government is committed to eventually removing all lead from water distribution systems. For those who understand drinking water infrastructure, it was just as obvious that this ambition was fraught with difficulties around how to locate, how to pay for, and how to replace all lead-leaching pipelines, especially when the problem pipes are lead service lines (LSLs) on private property. But that’s exactly what must be done over the next decade.

With the finalization of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) on October 8, the full scope of the challenge was made official. It requires drinking water systems to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years, while implementing stricter water testing and lowering the action threshold for lead from 15 µg/L to 10 µg/L. The rule also emphasizes better communication with communities about lead risks, pipe locations, and replacement plans.

Backed by $2.6 billion in new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will be distributed through the drinking water state revolving funds (DWSRF) program — with nearly half designated for disadvantaged communities — alongside $35 million available in competitive grants, the initiative targets the 9 million homes still served by lead pipes.

It’s a noble and right-minded pursuit, to be sure. According to CDC and WHO, there is no safe level of lead in a child’s blood. The need is therefore apparent, but that doesn’t remove the difficulties in reaching the lofty goal.

Here are four prominent issues that arise, along with strategies for addressing them:

1. Locating Lead

Problem: Identifying LSLs can be time-consuming and difficult, but water systems already know this having (hopefully) submitted their initial inventory of service line materials by Oct. 16, 2024, pursuant to the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). However, while the LCRR allowed for the “unknown,” the LCRI requires water systems to regularly update their inventories and identify the materials of all service lines.

Solution: Municipalities can invest in technologies such as predictive modeling, ground-penetrating radar, and smart water meters to locate lead pipes. Public engagement is also helpful, as residents may have valuable information about past plumbing work.

2. High Cost of Replacement

Problem: The cost of replacing lead service lines can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per line, depending on local conditions and the length of the pipe.

Solution: To address the high costs, municipalities and utility companies can seek federal and state funding (see EPA’s website identifying available funding sources). Offering subsidies or financial assistance to low-income households can also help alleviate the burden.

3. Disruptions to Communities

Problem: Replacing service lines often requires digging up streets, sidewalks, and yards, which can be disruptive to communities. In addition, property owners need to be notified and grant permission for replacements, leading to delays.

Solution: Communication with residents and local planning authorities is crucial. Offering clear timelines, minimizing disruption by employing trenchless technologies, and ensuring property owners understand the long-term benefits of the project can mitigate resistance.

4. Health Risks During Replacement

Problem: Lead can be disturbed during the replacement process, causing short-term spikes in lead levels in drinking water.

Solution: To minimize this risk, utilities should flush pipes immediately after replacement and provide filters to affected households. Educating residents on how to avoid lead exposure during the replacement process (e.g., using cold water for cooking and drinking) is also important.

Despite these challenges (and many others sure to crop up over the next decade), by accessing available financial assistance, committing to clear communication, embracing innovative technologies, and leaning on regulatory support, U.S. water systems will meet the aggressive lead-free mandate and do what they always do: provide safe drinking water for their communities.