Empowering Tribal and Local Governments to Build Lead-Free, Climate-Resilient Drinking Water Systems

Welcome to Our Drinking Water Training Community

Hello Friend,

Our Drinking Water Infrastructure Hub includes our Public Water Supply training on the Flint Water Crisis for federal, state, and local agencies, and access to the EPA-aligned Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator® (LSLRCC), a free planning tool developed to help Tribal, state, and local governments replace lead service lines efficiently and equitably.

The LSLRCC supports national efforts to replace millions of lead service lines, maximize Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) investments, strengthen compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) and State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, and also prioritizes climate-resilient drinking water infrastructure planning.

Recognized by the:

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• American Water Works Association (AWWA)
• Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI)
• Harvard University–Boston University Climate and Health Café
• Yale University’s Green Chemistry for Sustainability Network
• Duke University’s Clinical & Translational Science Institute
• Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Policy Innovation Center’s Lead Innovation Hub
  
  

Supporting Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), State Revolving Fund (SRF), and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) Implementation

The Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator helps Tribal, state, and local governments plan, budget, and justify funding applications under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and State Revolving Fund programs.

By integrating local data such as material, labor, and excavation costs, the tool enables data-driven decisions that prevent cost overruns and accelerate compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. This approach supports equitable, long-term investments that strengthen community resilience and drinking water infrastructure under changing climate conditions.

This integrated approach helps ensure every infrastructure dollar builds not only compliance capacity but long-term resilience against future climate and environmental stressors.

Recognizing Nationwide Lead Service Line Replacement Efforts

Across the country, Tribal governments, state primacy agencies, local governments, and public water systems are working to replace millions of lead service lines. These efforts protect public health and strengthen drinking water infrastructure resilience in the face of floods, droughts, and extreme heat that can damage aging systems and increase contamination risks.

The LSLRCC supports this nationwide effort by providing a free, transparent, data-driven approach to plan and manage replacement costs efficiently.

Advancing Climate-Adaptive Drinking Water Infrastructure

Climate-resilient drinking water infrastructure ensures that public water systems can continue to deliver safe, reliable service under climate-related stress. By helping communities assess and plan replacements strategically, the LSLRCC contributes to infrastructure that can adapt to extreme weather, reduce vulnerability, protect both people and ecosystems, and strengthen local climate resilience.

Recognized as a Critical Public Health and Climate Adaptive Drinking Water Infrastructure Planning Resource

This Hub is listed in the Open Science Framework (OSF) with DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/4RU2J, providing a permanent, citable record that supports transparency in research and policy.

The LSLRCC is also featured in the Water Program Portal and the River Network, reinforcing its credibility as a trusted planning and climate adaptation resource.

In addition, the LSLRCC has earned trusted media coverage in Water Conditioning & Purification (WC&P) International magazine and Underground Infrastructure, demonstrating its broad recognition and impact in the water sector.

Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The LSLRCC advances several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as recognized by UNEP, UNESCO’s IHP-WINS, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The LSLRCC advances the following:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being — Reduces lead exposure and improves public health.
  
  
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation — Enables equitable, data-informed infrastructure planning.
  
  
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth — Creates jobs in water infrastructure and public health sectors.
  
  
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure — Supports modernization through technology and data.
  
  
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities — Addresses disparities in access to safe drinking water.
  
  
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities — Builds climate-resilient, livable communities.
  
  
• SDG 13: Climate Action — Advances community drinking water infrastructure resilience and reduces climate vulnerability.
  
  
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions — Improves transparency and accountability in public works.
  
  
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals — Connects agencies, Tribal nations, and funders to achieve shared outcomes.
  
  

Together, We Can Improve Drinking Water Quality

Collaboration remains the foundation of progress. By combining technical innovation, policy alignment, and climate resilience, we can build safer and more sustainable drinking water systems for all communities.

Sincerely,

Anthony Ross
Director
Environmental & Public Health International®

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many lead service lines are there in the United States?

Federal updates continue to revise the national estimate of remaining lead service lines. Experts agree that millions of lead service lines still remain in service across the country.

What is the total cost of replacing all lead service lines in the United States?

The total cost of replacing all lead service lines in the United States may exceed $100 billion, according to the American Water Works Association.

These investments not only protect public health but also strengthen long-term resilience by reducing the risk of climate-related disruptions to aging water infrastructure.

How can Tribal and local governments use the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator to help save billions of dollars in lead service line replacement costs nationwide?

Tribal and local governments can use the LSLRCC to accurately model project costs and avoid unnecessary spending. By entering local data such as material prices, labor rates, and project size, they can identify cost-effective strategies and streamline lead service line replacement (LSLR) timelines.

When applied nationally, this data-driven approach can unlock billions in savings and accelerate LSLR efforts across the country.

It also helps communities plan infrastructure upgrades that are more adaptive and climate-resilient, protecting drinking water systems from future environmental stresses.

How does the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)?

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates over $15 billion specifically for lead service line replacement. The LSLRCC directly supports BIL implementation by helping Tribal and local governments develop strong, cost-justified funding applications and build realistic, data-driven budgets.

By using the LSLRCC, these governments can better prioritize spending, increase transparency, and ensure funds are spent efficiently, advancing equity, maintaining compliance with federal requirements, and maximizing the impact of every dollar spent.

This process also supports BIL goals to invest in infrastructure that is sustainable, efficient, and resilient to climate change.

How does the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator help with State Revolving Fund (SRF) applications?

Communities can use the LSLRCC to enhance their State Revolving Fund (SRF) applications. By generating detailed cost estimates, the LSLRCC enables SRF applicants to demonstrate project readiness, justify funding needs, and strengthen proposals for full or partial lead service line replacement funding.

Including resilience-focused planning data can also help demonstrate alignment with state and federal climate adaptation priorities.

Does the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator help with Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) compliance and implementation?

Yes. The LSLRCC helps public water systems meet key Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) requirements by enabling accurate planning, budgeting, and scheduling of lead service line replacement (LSLR) projects.

It allows communities to estimate full and partial LSLR costs, assess funding needs, and create realistic timelines, all critical for compliance and effective LCRI implementation.

How does the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator relate to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The LSLRCC supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).

By helping communities plan cost-effective, equitable lead service line replacements, the LSLRCC advances public health protections, environmental equity, improves climate-resilient drinking water infrastructure planning, and enhances government transparency. These are key global priorities recognized by the United Nations.

What communities can benefit from using the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator to build climate-adaptive drinking water systems?

Any community planning lead service line replacement (LSLR) can benefit from the LSLRCC, regardless of size. This includes large cities with extensive lead service line inventories such as Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, and Milwaukee, as well as Tribal communities, rural areas, small towns, and villages.

Communities facing climate-related risks such as flooding, drought, or heat stress can especially benefit from using the LSLRCC to plan durable and adaptive drinking water infrastructure.

In addition to drinking water protection, does the LSLRCC reduce lead entering ecosystems?

Yes. By supporting the removal of lead service lines, the LSLRCC not only protects families’ tap water but also prevents lead from leaching into surrounding soils, rivers, and waterways. This reduces contamination risks to freshwater ecosystems and helps safeguard downstream environments.

In doing so, the tool contributes to protecting oceans and coastal systems that connect all communities. This aligns with global efforts such as the United Nations Decade Playbook and the United Nations World Oceans Day, which highlights the interconnectedness of clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable oceans.

These same environmental protections also strengthen ecosystem resilience to climate change.

How can I support the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator (LSLRCC)?

The LSLRCC is a free public tool developed to help communities plan lead service line replacements and reduce lead in drinking water. If you would like to support this free public health-focused tool, that advances climate-resilient drinking water infrastructure, visit our sponsorship opportunities page for more information.