LSL Policy Lowdown: July 6–12, 2026
🔎Legislative Scanner
Check out EPIC's legislative scanner to keep track of all the state LSL bills worth keeping an eye on.
Federal Updates
Court sets hearing date for LCRI legal challenge
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit scheduled oral arguments for September 30 in AWWA’s petition for judicial review of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).
EPIC’s Take: 👀The moment many have been waiting for. With EPA signaling it will defend the rule, the hearing brings water utilities one step closer to clarity on LCRI requirements, including the 10-year timeline and private-side replacement obligations. Many utilities have been waiting for this litigation to play out before fully committing to replacement efforts. While waiting carries its own risks (particularly increased costs) greater regulatory certainty will give utilities the confidence they need to plan, budget and move forward.
EPA launches effort to improve water infrastructure funding
EPA convened state agencies, water utilities, and technical assistance providers to identify ways to streamline the flow of federal funding, with a particular focus on challenges specific to small and under-resourced systems.
EPIC’s take: 👏We applaud EPA for bringing stakeholders together to focus on practical solutions— and we’re honored to be part of the conversation. These discussions come at a critical time as Congress considers cuts to DWSRFs, one of the country’s most important sources of water infrastructure funding. As we’ve said before, slow funding deployment doesn’t reflect a lack of need; rather it highlights opportunities to modernize and streamline processes so communities can access funding faster and with fewer administrative hurdles.
State Updates
Illinois adopts law to remove private-side access barriers
Governor Pritzker signed legislation requiring property owners to grant utilities access for private-side LSL replacement in cities with populations over 1 million or when replacements are offered at no direct cost. The law also allows any legal occupant to grant access when the property owner is unresponsive.
EPIC’s take: 👍Illinois joins a growing number of states in removing barriers to full LSL replacement. By addressing both unresponsive property owners and absentee landlords, the law addresses two major obstacles that can delay private-side replacements. It also helps close potential gaps created by EPA’s proposed LCRI implementation guidance which could allow utilities to conduct partial replacements when cost-sharing or access barriers exist.
North Carolina helps communities navigate water infrastructure funding
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is offering free training sessions to help water utilities and municipalities apply for water infrastructure funding and financing programs, including CBDG, SRF, and the State Reserve Program.
EPIC’s take:👍A great example of how states can make funding more accessible. For many small and under-resourced systems, the biggest challenge is navigating complex application processes and program requirements to qualify for funding. Trainings like this helps communities become shove-ready by understanding which funding sources best fit their needs and how to successfully compete for available dollars.
Local Updates
🏆Wins
Lynchburg, VA puts new access law into action. Following Virginia's new private property access law, the city is kicking inventories into high gear and plans to fully cover replacement costs.
EPIC’s take: 👍This is what state legislation in action looks like! Just one week after the law took effect, utilities are already using it to accelerate inventory efforts. The next step is extending similar authority to replacement activities, since these barriers remain even after lines are verified. We hope to see Virginia building on this progress in the next legislative session.
Decatur, IL is inching toward covering replacement costs. The city announced that it plans to reimburse residents 100% of costs related to replacing leaky lead service lines.
EPIC’s take: 👍A step in the right direction. Removing direct cost to homeowners is one of the most effective ways to increase participation in replacement programs, making neighborhood-scale replacement easier. By limiting these reimbursements to leaky service lines— which are most likely one-offs— the city may be missing opportunities to achieve great cost-efficiencies through neighborhood-wide replacements efforts.
Flint, MI completes LSL replacement. Flint has completed its lead service line replacement commitments, bringing a decade-long legal chapter following the Flint water crisis to a close.
EPIC’s take: 👍This is a major milestone for Flint and an important reminder of what’s at stake. While completing replacements in ten years is a significant achievement, rebuilding public trust will likely take much longer. Flint’s experience highlights why investing in proactive LSL replacement and meaningful customer engagement can be far less costly than reacting to a public health crisis.
🚧Hurdles
Wausau, WI revisits mandatory LSL replacement ordinance. The city is considering reviving a local ordinance that would require LSL replacement as available funding—and the associated loan forgiveness that helps offset homeowner costs—begins to wind down.
EPIC’s take: 🚩Local replacement mandates can be an effective tool, but they are far less successful when homeowners are expected to pay. We’ve seen this in cities like Milwaukee, Detroit, and Trenton where participation increased after removing cost-shares. As federal funding declines, communities should explore alternative funding and financing strategies that reduce the financial burden on homeowners.
Want to learn more?
Visit EPIC's LSL Policy Lowdown page, LSL Replacement Initiative page, and our Lead Innovation Hub.
