TWM Contributor: Dan Newcomb GIS Manager

For engineers and surveyors, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is more than a mapping tool—it’s an essential platform for spatial analysis and data-driven decision-making across multiple industries. GIS improves operations, maintenance, and planning in various utility industries such as electricity, gas, telecommunications, and water.

GIS for utilities plays a crucial role in managing infrastructure by enabling utility companies to map, monitor, and optimize their networks efficiently. GIS asset management integrates with these systems to track the location, condition, and performance of assets in real time, improving maintenance planning, reducing downtime, and enhancing service reliability. By leveraging GIS for asset management, utilities can streamline operations, support data-driven investments for long-term infrastructure sustainability, secure funding, enhance public transparency, and very importantly, meet regulatory deadlines and compliance.

Let’s Talk About Lead
GIS-Powered Lead Service Line Inventory: A Smart Approach
With the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) in effect, water utilities across the country must take action to identify and replace lead service lines (LSLs). Engineers and surveyors play a crucial role in helping utilities meet compliance deadlines, ensure public safety, and secure funding for replacement programs.

Esri’s Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) solution provides a GIS-powered approach to efficiently manage this data. It streamlines inventory workflows, enhances field data collection, improves public communication, and automates compliance reporting—all within the ArcGIS ecosystem.

Lead Service Line Challenges in Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee
Each state has its own approach to lead service line regulations, funding, and reporting. Understanding these regional variations helps utilities plan accordingly.

Illinois
Illinois has some of the most stringent lead service line laws in the country. Under the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (HB3739):

  • All municipalities must create a lead service line inventory and develop a replacement plan.
  • Utilities must publicly disclose service line materials.
  • The state prohibits partial replacements, requiring full-service line replacement from the water main to the customer’s home.
  • Funding: The Illinois EPA offers State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans and grants to help communities comply.

Missouri
Missouri follows EPA’s LCRR guidance, but regulations may vary by municipality. Key points include:

  • Utilities must submit an LSL inventory by October 2024 and develop a replacement strategy.
  • The state encourages GIS-based mapping for compliance.
  • Funding: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) assistance for lead pipe removal.

Tennessee
Tennessee has taken a data-driven approach to lead service line replacement. Key requirements include:

  • Utilities must identify unknown service line materials and create a GIS inventory.
  • The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) works with utilities to ensure compliance.
  • Funding: The state offers Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to assist communities in lead pipe replacement.

How Esri’s Lead Service Line Inventory Solution Works
Esri’s LSLI solution is a configurable GIS toolkit that allows water utilities to identify, map, and manage lead service lines while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

Data Integration & Management

  • Import historical records, GIS datasets, and field inspections into a centralized database.
  • Integrate with enterprise asset management (EAM) systems.
  • Ensure compliance with Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee-specific requirements.

Field Data Collection & Inspection Tools

  • ArcGIS Field Maps & Survey123 allow field teams to log inspections in real-time.
  • GPS-enabled mapping ensures accurate service line location tracking.
  • Geotagged photos provide documentation for compliance audits.

Mapping & Risk Analysis

  • ArcGIS Dashboards display real-time lead service line data.
  • Heat maps & predictive analytics prioritize high-risk areas.
  • Scenario modeling helps utilities plan for replacements.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

  • Automated reports meet EPA and state-specific requirements.
  • Customizable dashboards track replacement progress.
  • Ensures utilities meet deadlines for Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee mandates.

Step-by-Step Process for Illinois, Missouri, & Tennessee Utilities

  1. Building the Lead Service Line Inventory

Utilities must create an LSL inventory based on:

  • Historical records (construction permits, old maps).
  • Existing GIS data (previously mapped pipe materials).
  • Field inspections (excavation, visual confirmation, material testing).

Illinois requires full transparency, meaning utilities must also inform homeowners about lead pipes.

  1. Conducting Field Inspections

Field crews can use ArcGIS Field Maps & Survey123 to:

  • Verify service line materials (lead, galvanized, copper, plastic).
  • Collect real-time data with mobile devices.
  • Capture photographic evidence for compliance reporting.
  1. Mapping & Prioritizing Replacements

GIS-based analysis helps utilities identify high-risk areas by evaluating:

  • Proximity to schools, daycares, and vulnerable populations.
  • Water quality test results.
  • Age of infrastructure and historical construction trends.
  1. Public Communication & Transparency

Illinois requires utilities to publicly share lead service line locations. Esri’s solution includes:

  • Public-facing interactive maps showing known and unknown service lines.
  • Automated customer notifications via web apps.
  • Customer self-reporting surveys to supplement utility data.
  1. Compliance & Reporting

Utilities in all three states must submit detailed reports on lead service line replacement efforts. With Esri’s solution:

  • Dashboards track replacement progress and compliance deadlines.
  • Automated reports are formatted to meet Illinois EPA, Missouri DNR, and Tennessee TDEC requirements.
  • Data updates in real-time, ensuring accurate submissions.

Beyond Lead Pipes: GIS for Broader Asset Management
But this isn’t just about lead service lines. While Esri’s LSLI solution is tailored for water utilities, similar GIS workflows and GIS-based asset management solutions exist for a wide range of transportation, facilities, municipal, and environmental assets, making GIS an essential tool working across a variety of industries, including:

Transportation Infrastructure | Tracks pavement conditions, bridge inspections, and traffic signal assets.
Facility Management | Monitors building HVAC, plumbing, and utility connections.
Parks & Recreation | Maintains playgrounds, trees, and sports facilities.
Municipal Services | Manages streetlights, stormwater drainage, and underground utilities.

Closing Insights
Our team is currently working with the City of Chillicothe, IL to help implement their lead service line inventory. Chillicothe had a great start on their own with about half of the City inventoried based on historical information. The City distributed inquiries throughout the remainder of the community to gather homeowner-submitted test results, which now require review. Additionally, the City maintains a service line card for every residence that will be integrated with this data. Ultimately, this effort will result in a comprehensive GIS database, mapping service line locations, historical records, and lead compliance data. Furthermore, the new database system will enable City staff to update files in real time while on-site, ensuring more efficient and accurate data management.

If you’re involved in lead service line replacements or other utility infrastructure asset management projects, GIS is the key to streamlining operations and making data-driven decisions. Explore your GIS solutions with our experts and take your utility asset management to the next level.

To learn more about Esri’s solutions for utilities and asset management, visit https://www.arcgis.com/apps/solutions/index.html?gallery=true&sortField=relevance&sortOrder=desc#home

Read more about TWM’s GIS Mapping services.