Date
Monday, July 28, 2025
Time
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location Name
Room 300D
Name
LCRR Inventory Development: Lessons in Records Review, Technology Selection, and Project Alignment
Track
Data Analytics
Description
The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) have presented significant implementation challenges for water utilities, specifically regarding service line material inventory development and public communication requirements. Eastside Utility District, in partnership with Jacobs, executed a systematic approach to achieve LCRR compliance. This presentation highlights the records review and data management strategy, discusses key lessons learned in selecting technology solutions, examines opportunities for efficiency in aligning project scopes, and provides a framework for next steps in utility LCRI compliance.
The inventory development strategy was centered on the discovery, review, and integration of historical records data. By leveraging utility-sourced datasets including as-built drawings, plats, work orders, tap cards, and service records from legacy document management systems, we established a robust baseline inventory. When faced with data gaps or quality concerns, we supplemented utility records with external sources such as customer survey results, county assessor data and historical aerial imagery. This integrated methodology enabled the development of streamlined validation processes to verify material determinations and identify potential discrepancies.
Our technology evaluation revealed important insights about the relationship between tool selection and regulatory acceptance. While Artificial Intelligence (AI), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and predictive modeling tools showed initial promise for document analysis and field work prioritization, regulatory standards for result validation made these solutions impractical. Early regulator engagement proved invaluable in avoiding rework and guiding our technology adoption strategy. The implementation of ESRI's ArcGIS Online platform and AEC project delivery systems enabled efficient data management, utility handover, and secure data access for utility customers.
A critical efficiency was achieved through strategic alignment of LCRR compliance efforts with an ongoing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. By incorporating service line material data collection into the AMI contractor scope, we significantly accelerated inventory development. This experience demonstrates how utilities can optimize resources by coordinating LCRR inventory efforts with AMI deployments and asset management initiatives, rather than executing these projects in isolation.
The presentation will conclude a framework for advancing LCRI implementation, including strategies for targeted field work programs to resolve unknown service materials, GIS integration for field data collection, and statistical modeling approaches for investigation prioritization. Additionally, we discuss the development of automated notification workflows for managing both disturbance notifications and Public Lead Education and Resource Notifications (PLERNs). This comprehensive approach provides utilities with a roadmap for exceeding minimum regulatory requirements while optimizing resource allocation through strategic project alignment and technology deployment.