Development and Deployment of a Lead Service Line Inventory Application for North Carolina Water Utilities

Abstract

This white paper introduces an application designed to help North Carolina water utilities complete federally required lead service line inventories, developed through a partnership between the Water Policy Program at Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability and the North Carolina Rural Water Association. The application simplifies the inventory process, overcoming barriers related to the cost and complexity of geographic information system software, which is especially beneficial for water utilities with limited resources. It improves the accuracy of lead service line identification by integrating various data sources to estimate construction years where traditional records fall short, providing a robust basis upon which utilities can proceed with their inventories. The white paper outlines the application development process and methodology and suggests future enhancements for broader use beyond North Carolina. Suggestions include integrating private well data, conducting ground validations in rural areas, and refining the user interface. These proposed improvements aim to make the tool more effective and user-friendly, supporting utilities nationwide in their efforts to address lead contamination and comply with regulatory mandates.