Background

Smyrna, GA, just outside of Atlanta and home to 55,000 residents, made early moves to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), prioritizing public health ahead of the 2027 mandate requiring lead sampling in schools and childcare facilities. Under the leadership of Bo Jones, Director of Water & Sewer Utilities, the city began its LCRI journey in 2020, completing its service line inventory and quickly shifting focus to Lead in Facilities (LIF) sampling.

The Challenge

Despite their proactive stance, Smyrna faced hurdles in identifying and engaging the 36 eligible facilities. Many operators were unaware of the LCRI requirements and hesitant to participate, and initial outreach using standard emails and mailed test kits generated minimal response. With limited staff and no enforcement authority, Smyrna needed a new approach to drive participation without overwhelming its utility team.

The Solution

120Water partnered with Smyrna to provide a tailored solution and strategic guidance. The City’s Water, Sewer, and Utility Director personalized outreach by visiting each facility in person to explain the importance of the program. Simultaneously, 120Water helped revamp outreach materials, replacing technical language with visual, one-page guides, and continued to provide easy-to-use sample kits. The city also integrated the sampling requirement into their business license renewal process, compelling compliance.

Results and Impact

Smyrna’s persistence paid off. Within five months of their efforts, over half of all facilities submitted samples with no detectable lead found. Smyrna now has a repeatable, efficient process for LCRI compliance that safeguards public health, builds trust, and avoids future bottlenecks.

Smyrna’s partnership with 120Water enabled streamlined sampling coordination, centralized data management, and effective outreach—all critical to advancing their compliance journey with clarity and confidence.