Stretching the Dollar to Get the Lead Out: Good Decision-Making and Planning for Lead Service Line Cost Efficiencies
By: Marc Santos, Maureen Cunningham, Erica Galante-Johnson, and Palencia Mobley
Water utilities have a lot on their plate right now, as they work hard to identify and replace their lead service lines to comply with federal regulations. At the same time, many are going one step further by seeking cost efficiencies to stretch their available funding even further. The most proactive utilities are also proactive in their approach and planning - by considering the full lifecycle costs, benefits to customers, and long-term implications of lead service line replacement activities. EPIC conducted interviews with 26 utilities from 16 states and the District of Columbia to highlight practical and replicable policies and practices that accomplish lead service line replacements while also considering the impact on future water operations.
This policy brief highlights strategies that utilities and/or state agencies should consider adopting to make informed, holistic decisions when spending money on LSL programs.
Some of the most forward-looking strategies that water utilities can embrace include the following:
Fully funding private-side lead service line replacements, improving the customer experience, leveraging trenchless solutions, and streamlining permitting
Adopting better solutions for documentation, efficient pre-procurement methods, and streamlining contract language
Coordinating with other construction activities and asset management efforts, selecting robust materials, and developing the local workforce through training and apprenticeship programs
States, too, can join in these long-term strategies to encourage cost efficiencies.
