While the information is still being gathered to accurately map lead service lines in cities – and there is no real-time lead monitoring technology on the market yet – here are several tools and resources that provide information on lead service line data. Some of these include:
- EPA’s Drinking Water Watch: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers an online tool called Drinking Water Watch (DWW) that provides information on public water systems, including lead and copper rule monitoring data. While it doesn’t provide direct information on lead service lines, it can help you identify water systems with elevated lead levels, which may indicate the presence of lead service lines. The availability of DWW data depends on the state, as some states maintain their own systems. Visit the EPA’s website to access DWW: https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/drinking-water-watch-help
- State and local water utilities’ websites: Some water utilities and state environmental agencies maintain online tools or maps that provide information on lead service lines, including locations and replacement programs. These tools vary in terms of the level of detail and coverage, so check the specific websites of the water utilities or state environmental agencies in your target cities.
- Get the Lead Out Campaign: The Get the Lead Out Campaign is an initiative led by Environment America Research & Policy Center and the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. They have published a toolkit for communities to help them identify and remove lead service lines, and they maintain a map of cities with known lead service lines. Visit their website to access the toolkit and map: https://environmentamericacenter.org/feature/amc/get-lead-out
- Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative: The Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative is a group of public health, water utility, environmental, labor, consumer, and governmental organizations working together to accelerate lead service line replacement. Their website provides resources, including a map of communities with voluntary lead service line inventories. Visit their website to access the resources: https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/
- Academic and nonprofit research: Some academic institutions, nonprofits, and research organizations have conducted studies on lead service lines and created tools or maps to visualize the data. These tools may be city or region-specific, so you’ll need to search for research focused on your target cities.
Keep in mind that while these tools can provide valuable information, they may not offer a comprehensive view of lead service line data across the entire US. As an operator or resident, you will need to combine data from multiple sources and conduct further research to get a more accurate picture of lead service lines in your city.