LSL Policy Lowdown: May 25-31, 2026

waterblogs
Written By Erica Galante-Johnson

🔎Legislative Scanner

Check out state LSL bills worth keeping an eye on by visiting EPIC's legislative scanner.

State updates

Illinois and Louisiana pass legislation addressing access barriers

IL SB 4025 requires property owners to grant utilities access for private-side replacement in cities with populations over 1 million or when replacements are offered at no direct cost. The bill also allows any legal occupant to grant access when a property owner is unresponsive. Notably, the final version removed earlier provisions providing exemptions to conduct partial replacements for systems completing more than 4,000 annual replacements.

EPIC’s take: đź‘ŤTwo great example of states taking action to help water utilities overcome access barriers and support full replacement.  This is especially important as EPA has hinted at LCRI flexibilities that could create opportunities for systems to avoid full replacements.

Minnesota communities already feeling pressure from tighter LSL budgets

Minnesota’s state budget included $15 million for LSL replacement—1.5% of the total funding needed to remove all LSLs statewide. Concerns over funding are growing as demand for federal funding continues to outpace available dollars and IIJA funds approach their end.

EPIC’s take: 🚩With IIJA funds expiring in 2026 and no new LSL appropriations in sight, states will need to take on a more proactive in ensuring that water utilities have the resources needed to complete replacements and meet LCRI requirements.

Local updates

🏆 Wins

  • Pittsburgh, PA reaches 83% of its goal to eliminate all lead service lines by 2027. The city has completed more than 15,000 public-side and 11,500 private-side lead service line replacements and recently announced additional replacement projects as it works toward full replacement by 2027.

đź’ˇSpotlight

  • Wausau, WI revisits ordinance requiring full LSL replacement. The City of Wausau is reevaluating an ordinance first introduced in 2024 that would require full lead service line replacement and authorize utility access to inspect and replace service lines.

Want to learn more?

Visit EPIC's LSL Replacement Initiative page and our Lead Innovation Hub.

Erica Galante-Johnson

Erica is the Senior Lead Service Line Replacement Policy Analyst at EPIC. Prior to joining EPIC in 2023, Erica worked in the New York State Assembly in the office of the Health Committee Chair, Amy Paulin. Erica holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Biology from the City University of New York and a bachelor’s degree from Universidad Simón Bolívar in Venezuela. As a scientist, she has been involved in numerous interdisciplinary research projects addressing issues operating at the interface of environmental conservation and human health, in both academic and non-profit settings.

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