Water System receives national award for excellence in community engagement

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City of Grand Rapids Water System has been recognized by the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative (LSLRC) with its Excellence in Community Engagement Award, a national honor celebrating outstanding efforts to engage residents and build trust while accelerating lead service line replacement.

The award was presented during the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE26) in Washington, D.C., where the LSLRC recognized communities from across the country for advancing innovative and effective lead service line replacement programs.

Grand Rapids was one of only a handful of communities nationwide recognized for excellence in lead service line replacement as part of the LSLRC’s national program celebrating 10 years of progress. The City was selected for its commitment to transparency, meaningful public engagement, and strong partnerships that have helped make its lead service line replacement program one of the nation's leading examples of community-centered infrastructure investment.

Since launching its lead service line replacement program in 2017, the City has replaced approximately 9,000 lead service lines to date, with approximately 16,500 to go before the 2037 deadline. The City has invested approximately $60 million in its lead service line replacement program through a combination of City funding, grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and financing from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which includes loans with principal forgiveness.

The program combines critical infrastructure improvements with a comprehensive community engagement strategy that includes personalized communications, multilingual educational materials, neighborhood meetings, partnerships with community organizations, an interactive online service line map, and ongoing collaboration with public health agencies. These efforts have helped build trust, increase transparency, and keep residents informed throughout the replacement process.

"This recognition reflects a strong commitment to protecting public health and making it easier for residents to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water,” said Dr. Adam London, Kent County health officer. “We were proud to partner with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Water System to distribute free drinking water filters to households at risk of lead exposure. By combining lead service line replacement, mapping tools, and targeted outreach, we're helping connect families with the resources they need and making a real difference for our community."

Building on this momentum, the City has planned approximately 1,900 lead service line replacements in FY2027 and has budgeted $11.4 million for lead service line replacements as part of its ongoing initiative to replace all lead service lines.

The City's nationally recognized approach extends beyond replacing infrastructure. Through partnerships with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, Kent County Health Department, Grand Rapids Public Schools and many neighborhood organizations, the Water System has created innovative outreach programs that bring information and resources directly to residents. These collaborations have supported community events, school-based outreach, educational workshops, in-home visits, water filter distribution and one-on-one assistance, helping ensure every resident has access to trusted information throughout the lead service line replacement process.

Jameela Maun, executive director of Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan said, "Through our work with families, we know that lasting change is built through trusted partnerships, community education, and coordinated efforts to reduce lead hazards where families live, learn and play. The Third Ward Lead Reduction Initiative is a strong example of how collaboration can improve community health and expand our impact."

"We are honored to receive this national recognition for our lead service line replacement program," said Wayne Jernberg, utilities director for the City of Grand Rapids. "This award reflects the dedication of our staff, contractors, community partners and residents who have worked together to create a program built on transparency, trust and collaboration. Protecting public health requires more than replacing pipes — it requires meaningful engagement with the people we serve."

The Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative is a coalition of 28 national organizations representing water utilities, public health organizations, environmental groups, labor organizations, state agencies and local governments. Established following the Flint water crisis, the Collaborative works to accelerate the voluntary replacement of lead service lines through technical resources, education, and the sharing of best practices.

The Excellence in Community Engagement Award recognizes programs that demonstrate exceptional public outreach, clear communication and strong collaboration with residents throughout the lead service line replacement process.

The City also maintains an interactive online dashboard that allows residents to view known service line materials, track replacement progress, and see planned replacement schedules. Combined with proactive communication and ongoing community engagement, these tools reinforce the City's commitment to transparency throughout the replacement process.

The City remains committed to replacing all lead service lines in accordance with state and federal requirements while ensuring residents remain informed, supported and engaged every step of the way.

Residents can learn more about the lead in drinking water and the Lead Service Line Replacement Program by visiting the City's website at grandrapidsmi.gov/lead or calling 311.

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