Tackling new projects like lead service line replacement (LSLR) can feel overwhelming, especially as we look towards new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) requirements. There are so many decisions to make—some big, some small—that all have a significant impact on both the timeline and the cost of your program. That's why we've developed a new guide, "Designing for Lead Service Line Replacement Success: Key Planning Decisions Impacting Lead Service Line Replacement Costs."

A decade ago, about 100,000 Flint residents were exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water. The Flint water crisis has become a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence and allowing pipe materials that have been banned since 1988 to fester in our water systems. 

If this catastrophe had a bright side, it’s that it led to the revision of Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule in 2018, the nation's most protective regulation aimed at reducing lead exposure in drinking water. 

With new goals, requirements, and funding for lead service line replacements emerging all the time, it's crucial to make the most of available resources. Here are Safe Water Engineering's top recommendations for maximizing funding and removing more lead service lines from your water system: