Proactive Filter Distribution for Lead Service Line Replacement in Vulnerable Communities
Case Example of Direct Filter Distribution in Omaha, NE
Project Overview
The city of Omaha, Nebraska, with a population of 483,335, is replacing lead service lines throughout the community while prioritizing neighborhoods with high concentrations of children in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper RuleImprovements (LCRI). Omaha has over 16,000 lead or unknown pipes in its inventory.
In the summer of 2024, the MetropolitanUtilities District (M.U.D.) in Omaha, Nebraska, launched its initiative to replace all lead service lines by 2034. M.U.D. is leveraging a three-pronged approach to alert residents of the program and push filter redemption:
- Detect - Use M.U.D.’s interactive tool to identify lead service lines and check eligibility status for the replacement program.
- Correct - M.U.D. will replace lead service lines.
- Protect - Use M.U.D.-supplied pitcher filters to maintain clean drinking water.
In addition to its three-tiered approach,M.U.D. has developed a lead service line inventory tool where residents can check the composition of their service lines by simply entering their addresses. If the tool identifies the lines as positive for lead, it will guide residents in determining their eligibility for the replacement program.Residents can follow progress on replacements via the Lead Replacements Projects map. Residents within these zones will automatically receive a pitcher filter certified to reduce lead, along with instructions on how to receive additional filters if necessary.
M.U.D.is notifying over 20,000 residents about this project through mailed letters. After residents receive a letter, M.U.D. will test the water in their homes for free, and then notify the resident of when the pipe will be replaced. Following replacement, residents will receive their pitcher and filter.
Project Timeline
M.U.D. is hoping to replace 200 lead service lines by the end of 2024, and an additional 1,200 every year after, with a goal of finishing replacement by 2034.
Best Practices
Streamline the Process
A key lesson from Omaha M.U.D.’s approach is the importance of making lead service line replacement and filter usage simple and accessible for residents. By clearly outlining the replacement process and enabling residents to identify their pipe type with just a few clicks, the program empowers community members to participate effortlessly. Further, by having the utility initiate projects and notify residents about potential disruptions, the burden shifts away from residents, who no longer need to contact the utility to receive their filters.
Strategic Replacement
M.U.D. is prioritizing the replacement of lead service lines and the distribution of filters in communities most at risk—those with high concentrations of lead lines and households with infants and children, who are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure. By prioritizing vulnerable people and ensuring that households receive pitchers and filters early—before lead exposure becomes a more significant concern for the community—the risk of further lead poisoning is reduced. Similarly, working in community blocks significantly reduces the risk of disturbing lead service lines scheduled for replacement later in the process, which could otherwise expose those households to lead for an extended period.
Educate the Community
The level of community engagement and education a utility provides about lead service line replacement and filter use reflects the priority placed on the project. By employing robust educational efforts—including a dedicated website and repeated outreach through letters, videos, and interactive programs—residents are better equipped to understand the serious risks of lead poisoning and the benefits of a lead reduction program. This increases community trust in the water system and public buy-in for a capital-intensive program.
Speak in Familiar Terms
Implementing catchy slogans and straight forward program goals are easy for residents to remember and follow. By breaking the program objectives into three clear sections—Detect, Correct, and Protect—community members will gain a better understanding of the process, know their current status, and clearly see the steps needed to reach their desired outcome. Lead service line replacement is complex, but simplifying the project while maintaining trust and integrity with the community is crucial.