Door Hangers and Incentives Induced Little Participation in Lead Water Pipe Inspections

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Public health
• Urban planning

Background:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates lead pipe replacement in water systems.
• Incomplete inventories hinder the identification of lead service lines.
• Trenton, New Jersey, faces challenges with aging infrastructure and a high proportion of vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) intervention aimed at increasing resident participation in lead service line self-inspection.
• To assess the impact of informational door hangers and financial incentives on self-inspection participation.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Trenton, NJ.
• Two intervention groups received door hangers: one with self-inspection information, the other with information plus gift card incentives.
• Participation was measured by the submission of self-inspection photos.

Main Results:

• Both informational and incentive-based interventions showed null or small effects on resident participation.
• Less than 1% of targeted households participated in self-inspection, even with a $100 incentive.
• The study highlights significant challenges in engaging residents in lead pipe identification efforts.

Conclusions:

• Standard informational and incentive-based outreach methods are insufficient for widespread lead service line identification.
• Community engagement strategies need re-evaluation to effectively address lead pipe replacement challenges.
• Targeted outreach in diverse communities requires innovative approaches beyond simple informational materials and monetary rewards.