The City of Jerome, Idaho, has taken a significant step in protecting public health by launching the Lead Service Line Project. This collaborative effort aims to ensure safe, lead-free drinking water for all residents, highlighting the power of teamwork and expertise in tackling complex public health challenges.

Team Collaboration and Expertise

Led by the Water Resources Group at J-U-B’s Twin Falls office, the project brought together various teams, including Gateway Mapping, Inc. (GMI) and The Langdon Group (TLG), as well as multiple city departments. Together, they developed a comprehensive approach to identify and map lead service lines across Jerome. GMI created a GIS map showing every water service line in the city and an online survey to help water customers directly participate in identifying their service lines. TLG played a key role in educating the public about the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, raising awareness of lead pipe dangers and encouraging community involvement.

Input from city departments such as public works, water utility, engineering, IT, and finance was essential to developing accessible tools for the public and conducting meaningful outreach. The water resources team provided expert knowledge of EPA regulations and applied advanced statistical models to ensure precise data collection and analysis.

Community Outreach

TLG and city partners reached residents through social media, TV interviews, flyers, and in-person events like the local farmer’s market, developing bilingual resources to make information accessible to residents of diverse backgrounds, including those without internet access and non-English speakers. Outreach included connecting with the community at the Jerome Farmer’s Market, making complex information about lead lines engaging and understandable. The project also gained attention from KMVT, which featured it as a top local story on multiple broadcasts.

Long-Term Benefits for Jerome

A lasting impact of the project is the identification and replacement of lead service lines with modern, safe materials, ensuring clean drinking water for Jerome’s future. The project also updated the City of Jerome’s water delivery records, which will aid in ongoing system maintenance and future upgrades. Additionally, a grant program was established to help residents replace private lead service lines, further supporting homeowners.

By employing a binomial statistical model, the team minimized field investigations while meeting regulatory standards, making the process efficient and cost-effective.

The Jerome Lead Service Line Project exemplifies how cross-disciplinary collaboration, community outreach, and specialized knowledge can drive positive, long-lasting change. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this project a success!