The City of Greeley’s Lead Protection Program earned a national award for community engagement from the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative at the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The collaborative’s “Honoring Excellence in LSL Replacement” program recognizes communities that identify and remove lead pipes from water systems to reduce health risks from lead exposure. Greeley was one of three communities recognized in the community engagement category. Michaela Jackson, the city’s water quality and regulatory compliance manager, accepted the award.
“Providing clean, safe and reliable water to Greeley residents is at the heart of our lead protection program,” says Jackson. “From the beginning, our team has put the community at the center of this work. That means providing clear communication, protecting public health and making sure residents feel informed, supported and heard every step of the way. We know building trust takes ongoing engagement, and I’m proud of the care our staff has shown in creating a program that not only meets requirements but also reflects our commitment to the people we serve.”
The city shared information through community events, newsletters, radio, home visits and bus bench advertising. Staff provided residents with test kits to identify service line materials and, when lead was found, distributed free water filter pitchers and replacement cartridges. The outreach helped the city identify lines needing replacement and saved thousands of dollars in identification costs.
For more information, visit GreeleyCO.gov/LeadProtection.
