Appendix to the LCRI Access and Service Line Inventory Tips

• Replacement Access
• Inventories

This webpage provides external resources showing examples of strategies and case studies of systems using various methods to identify unknowns and gain access to conduct full service line replacement. The EPA intends to update this list as new information becomes available. Find more information about the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) on the EPA’s rule website and find a list of implementation materials developed by the EPA on the EPA's support implementation website. In addition, the EPA provides free Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) to identify lead service lines, plan for removal, and assist water systems in applying for federal funding. See the EPA’s RealWaterTA website for more information.

Replacement Access 

Resources about service line replacement policies and case studies related to service line access. 

• Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) Lead Innovation Hub. Collection of roadmaps, policy briefs, and case studies related to lead service line replacement. https://www.leadinnovationhub.org/. Accessed May 28, 2026.
• Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic, Harvard Law School and Environmental Defense Fund. Goho, S.A., Saenz, M., and Neltner, T. 2019. Laws in States with Most Lead Service Lines Support Use of Ratepayer Funds to Pay for Full Replacement. https://clinics.law.harvard.edu/environment/files/2019/04/Rates-Fund-LSL-Replacement-States_Harvard_EDF_2019.pdf. Accessed 21 May 2026.
• LSLR Collaborative. Legal Factors. https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/legal-factors.html. Accessed May 28, 2026.

Relevant state laws that clarify and/or provide system access to conduct full lead service line replacement (LSLR). 

• 2017 Wisconsin Act 137. A Wisconsin law that allows a utility or municipality to seek state approval to provide customers with financial assistance for lead service line (LSL) replacement. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2017/related/acts/137. Accessed May 28, 2026.
• Indiana Code § 8-1-31.6-6 (2025). An Indiana law permitting a utility with approved replacement plans to enter private property to replace LSLs without the owner’s permission and to disconnect water service if the owner prevents replacement. https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-8/article-1/chapter-31-6/section-8-1-31-6-6/. Accessed May 28, 2026.
• Louisiana SB 460 Act 527. A law which empowered municipalities to adopt ordinances giving the water system access to property with at least seven days advance notice. https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=24rs&b=SB460&sbi=y. Accessed May 28, 2026.
• Michigan Administrative Code r. 325.10604f(5)(c) (2018). A Michigan law that requires water systems to notify property owners that it will replace the full service line at the water system’s expense. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/Mich-Admin-Code-R-325-10604f. Accessed May 28, 2026.
• Newark, N.J., Code § 16:23 (2019). A Newark, New Jersey, ordinance that permits tenants to provide access for LSL replacement. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF18/20220329/114537/HHRG-117-IF18-20220329-SD008.pdf. Accessed May 28, 2026.
• New Jersey Rev Stat § 58:12A-39 (2025). A state law authorizing access to private property for LSL replacement with 72 hours notice, regardless of owner permission. https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-58/section-58-12a-39/. Accessed May 28, 2026.
• R.I. Gen. Laws 23-24.6-28. Lead water supply replacement. A Rhode Island law that requires systems to develop a plan to replace lead service lines within 10 years and coordinate with the Rhode Island Infrastructure bank to develop a replacement program. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE23/23-24.6/23-24.6-28.htm. Accessed June 15, 2026.

Resources about customer communication to facilitate service line replacement

• American Water Works Association (AWWA). 2022. Lead Communications and Guide Toolkit. https://www.awwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-AWWA-Lead-Communications-Guide-And-Toolkit.pdf. Accessed March 13, 2026.
• Keller, J., R. Burchett, and D. Gallet. 2025. Strategies for Effective Lead Service Line Replacement Communication. Journal AWWA, 117: 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/awwa.2418. Accessed May 19, 2026.

Resources about funding service line replacement

• Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC). Mobley, P., and D. Schmidt. 2025. Funding and Financing Options for Full Lead Service Line Replacement. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/611cc20b78b5f677dad664ab/t/692726ad637b0319a8be9a45/1764173485868/Funding+and+Financing+Options+for+Full+Lead+Service+Line+Replacement.pdf. Accessed May 19, 2026.
• Internal Revenue Service. Announcement 2024-10. This announcement addresses the Federal income tax treatment of certain lead service line replacement programs for residential property owners. The replacement of lead service lines under the programs described in the announcement does not result in income. Water systems and state governments are not required to file information returns or furnish payee statements with respect to the replacement of lead service lines under these programs. Accessed June 15, 2026. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/a-24-10.pdf.

Inventories

The links below include resources with information about inventory development, such as how to get started creating an inventory and using innovative technologies to identify service line materials. 

• Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and BlueConduit. 2020. Principles of Data Science for Lead Service Line Inventories and Replacement Programs. https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ASDWA-BlueConduit-White-Paper-on-Data-and-LSL.pdf. Accessed April 23, 2026.
• CDM Smith. 2026. Piloting no-dig lead pipe detection technologies: Lessons learned from the field. https://www.cdmsmith.com/en/client-solutions/projects/dc-water-pilot-study. Accessed April 23, 2026.
• Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC). 2022. Intersection of Technology and Water: Using Technology to Speed Up Lead Pipe Replacement. https://www.policyinnovation.org/insights/intersection-of-lead-tech. Accessed October 31, 2025.
• Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) Lead Innovation Hub. Collection of roadmaps, policy briefs, and case studies related to lead service line replacement and inventory.  https://www.leadinnovationhub.org/. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• LSLR Collaborative. 2021a. Preparing a Lead Service Line Inventory. https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/preparing-an-inventory.html. Accessed October 12, 2021.