Water Research Foundation Launches Full Lead Service Line Replacement Project
The Water Research Foundation has launched a new project on “Full Lead Service Line Replacement Guidance” (#4713). This project will evaluate strategies to reduce lead exposure after conducting full lead service line replacements (FLSLRs). Once completed, the research will provide accurate and easily understood guidance and reference materials for U.S. or Canadian water systems when planning and implementing FLSLRs.
Removing the entire lead service line (LSL) eliminates one significant potential source of lead in a customer’s home. Even after full LSL replacement, however, lead sources can still be present that can contribute to lead levels at the tap. Lead exposure can come from lead scale that has built up over time within premise plumbing, brass components that contain lead, and lead-based solder.
“As many communities are faced with the prospect of lead service line replacement initiatives, they need to understand the full scope of this process,” said Rob Renner, CEO of the Water Research Foundation. “This project will provide guidance on customer education, proper flushing, and monitoring.”
As part of the project, a team of researchers will conduct a literature review of current information on limiting lead release following lead service line disturbances and evaluate the effectiveness of flushing to reduce lead exposure following FLSLRs at single-family homes. The research will also identify lessons learned from case studies, if any are available, of utilities that have monitored lead release following FLSLR.
The research will be led by Cornwell Engineering Group, with Richard Brown as Principal Investigator and Dr. David Cornwell as Co-Principal Investigator.
Participating utilities will conduct field studies at over 100 locations during this project. The following utilities are participating in the project:
- DC Water, DC
- American Water, NJ
- Denver Water, CO
- Halifax Water, Canada
- EPCOR Water Services, Inc., Canada
- Greater Cincinnati Water Works, OH
- Newport News Water Works, VA
- Saint Louis Water Division, MO
- Philadelphia Water, PA
- City of Regina, Canada
- City of Portland Water Bureau, OR
- Providence Water Supply Board, RI
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