A decade ago, about 100,000 Flint residents were exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water. The Flint water crisis has become a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence and allowing pipe materials that have been banned since 1988 to fester in our water systems.

If this catastrophe had a bright side, it’s that it led to the revision of Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule in 2018, the nation's most protective regulation aimed at reducing lead exposure in drinking water.

libby cole 5/15/24 libby cole 5/15/24

The Top Ten Strategies to Reduce Lead Service Line Replacement Costs and Ensure Public Health Protection

With new goals, requirements, and funding for lead service line replacements emerging all the time, it's crucial to make the most of available resources. Here are Safe Water Engineering's top recommendations for maximizing funding and removing more lead service lines from your water system:

libby cole 4/8/24 libby cole 4/8/24

Lead Service Line Replacement Costs and Strategies for Reducing Them

Earlier this year, Safe Water Engineering prepared a report that analyzed lead service line replacement (LSLR) cost estimates, identified the line-item costs that are major overall cost drivers, and identified strategies for reducing LSLR costs at both the unit scale and at the overall program scale.

libby cole 1/15/24 libby cole 1/15/24

Resources to help understand proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

Safe Water Engineering, with University of Michigan Water Center - Graham Sustainability Institute, developed a suite of resources to help local elected officials understand the Michigan Lead and Copper Rule when it was revised in 2018.

libby cole 1/10/24 libby cole 1/10/24

Is my faucet lead free? A guide to understanding new “lead-free” requirements for faucets and household plumbing.

This post summarizes new requirements for low lead “lead-free” plumbing devices, outlines what to look for when shopping for new plumbing materials, and it identifies older materials that might put you at increased risk of lead exposure.