Monitoring-Based Framework to Detect and Manage Lead Water Service Lines

Profile sampling was conducted using 112 dwellings of various types and configurations of water pipes consisting of lead service lines (LSLs). A detailed investigation of plumbing volumes was conducted in 44 of these homes. Results revealed a wide range of piping volume and associated lead profiling trends. These differences are critical for exposure assessment and interpretation of regulatory sampling results that most often use first draw results after stagnation. Moreover, while peak lead levels in the profiles were comparable between households, the volume in which these elevated lead levels occurred varied with dwelling type and LSL configuration. Mean profile concentrations were successfully correlated to concentrations after flushing, suggesting that a simplified LSL detection protocol could be applied on a large scale. A framework is proposed on the basis of these results to screen for LSLs, validate lead reduction strategies, identify sites at risk of elevated exposure, and support public health actions.