The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed an inventory template to help communities track and manage their lead service lines. This template provides a standardized approach for collecting information on the location, age, and status of lead service lines. By using this template, communities can better understand the extent of their lead service line problem and prioritize their replacement efforts.
The EPA lead service line inventory template is available as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or PDF document. The spreadsheet version includes a tab for each type of data to be collected, such as location, age, and status. The PDF document includes a single page with all of the data fields. Communities can choose the format that best meets their needs.
How to Use the EPA Lead Service Line Inventory Template
The EPA lead service line inventory template is designed to be easy to use. Communities can follow these steps to complete the inventory:
- Identify all potential lead service lines. This includes lines that are known to be lead, as well as lines that are likely to be lead based on their age or location.
- Collect information on each lead service line. This information includes the location of the line, the age of the line, the status of the line (active or inactive), and the type of material used for the line.
- Enter the data into the EPA lead service line inventory template. The template includes tabs for each type of data to be collected.
- Review and verify the data. This is important to ensure that the inventory is accurate and complete.
- Use the data to prioritize lead service line replacement efforts. The inventory can help communities identify the lines that are most in need of replacement.
Benefits of Using the EPA Lead Service Line Inventory Template
There are many benefits to using the EPA lead service line inventory template. These benefits include:
- The template is standardized. This means that communities can use the same template to collect data on lead service lines, regardless of their location or size.
- The template is easy to use. The template is designed to be easy to understand and use, even for communities with limited resources.
- The template is comprehensive. The template collects information on all of the key data fields needed to manage lead service lines.
- The template is free. The template is available for free from the EPA website.
- The template can help communities prioritize lead service line replacement efforts. The inventory can help communities identify the lines that are most in need of replacement.
The EPA lead service line inventory template is a valuable tool for communities that are working to address their lead service line problem. By using this template, communities can better understand the extent of their problem and prioritize their replacement efforts.
In addition to the EPA lead service line inventory template, there are other resources available to help communities address their lead service line problem. These resources include:
- The EPA’s Lead Service Line Toolkit: https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-service-line-toolkit
- The National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ Lead Service Line Replacement Toolkit: https://www.nacwa.org/resources/publications/fact-sheets/lead-service-line-replacement-toolkit
- The American Water Works Association’s Lead Service Line Replacement Manual: https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resources/Books-and-Reports/Lead-Service-Line-Replacement-Manual
These resources provide valuable information on lead service line identification, replacement, and funding. By using these resources, communities can take steps to protect their residents from lead exposure.
