Tribal Consortium, EPA Region 6: Building Trust and Success Through Inventory Development and LCR Compliance

Background

A Tribal Consortium in EPA Region 6, supporting over 130 public water systems, partnered with 120Water to prepare for the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) ahead of the November 1, 2027 deadline. The goal was to build a unified service line inventory, eliminate unknown service lines, and create a sustainable framework for long-term compliance. What began as a 10-system pilot quickly grew into a reservation-wide initiative that combined record reviews, field verification, connector identification, and strategic funding alignment.

The Challenge

The consortium faced inconsistent records, low participation, and limited technical capacity. Many systems only had P.O. boxes or rural route numbers, making mapping and verification difficult. Operators were split between state and EPA regulated systems, which created uneven expectations and processes. At the same time, entering 2027 with large numbers of unknown service lines would trigger costly disincentives like mandatory notices, accelerated replacements, and annual submissions. They needed a coordinated approach to build trust, drive participation, and secure funding support without overwhelming their limited staff and resources.

The Solution

120Water implemented a trust-first strategy that combined technology, hands-on technical assistance, and funding expertise. The program launched with a 10-system pilot to build credibility before scaling to more than 100 systems. Personalized outreach, community meetings, and co-branded tribal communications helped earn trust and engagement from operators. Each system was onboarded into the 120Water platform, where all available records—digital, paper, or handwritten—were consolidated and cleaned. 120Water helped secure state DEQ approval to use EPA accepted statistical analysis to verify a subset of unknown lines — allowing systems with no evidence of lead to classify remaining unknowns as non-lead. At the same time, the team helped the consortium secure federal funding, including Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants (DWIG) and Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) allocations.

Results & Impact

Within months, over 100 Public Water Systems—about 80% of systems on the reservation—had completed or advanced their inventories. Unknown service lines were dramatically reduced, and connector data was added to meet upcoming LCRI requirements. Central dashboards allowed the tribe to monitor progress, while grant funding covered costs without burdening local budgets. The program created a repeatable, regulator-aligned process that safeguards public health, secures sustainable funding, and streamlines future planning. Its success also paved the way for a related Head Start and childcare facility testing initiative, extending the same governance model to protect young children from lead exposure.