System Infrastructure Improvement
We regularly address emerging contaminants in the public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities.
The efforts to address emerging contaminants in drinking water benefits small or disadvantaged community on a per household basis as follows;
- Technical assistance to evaluate emerging contaminant problems;
- Programs to provide household water-quality testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants;
- Local contractor training;
- Activities necessary and appropriate for a state to respond to an emerging contaminant; and
- Installing centralized water treatment addresses emerging contaminants in a small or disadvantaged community water system.
LEAD & COPPER RULE REVISION
For the first time, the new Lead and Copper Rule requires that community water systems test for lead in drinking water in elementary schools and childcare facilities they serve. The old rule had no federal requirement for community water systems to test for lead in drinking water in these buildings.
There is no safe level of lead exposure for children or adults. Ingesting even small amounts of lead can lead to permanent adverse health effects, including cardiovascular impacts, worsened kidney function, and reproductive issues. Lead enters drinking water through corrosion of outdated lead pipes, solder, and other fixtures. Although the US Congress has prohibited the use of lead pipes and fixtures in new homes, six to ten million homes in the U.S. still receive water from lead service lines. An estimated 32 million people receive their drinking water from water systems that use lead service lines. At least 5.5 million people receive water exceeding EPA’s lead action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
We will assist in:
- Updated tap water sampling locations and modified sample collection procedures.
- Development of sampling plans for schools and childcare facilities.
- New requirements for full- and partial-lead service line replacement plans.
- Additional planning, monitoring, and corrosion control treatment requirements based on a new trigger level of 10 µg/L (micrograms per liter) – below the 15 µg/L action level.
- Public education and communication.
We can provide professional planning and compliance services to State and local agencies to meet the EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) ahead of the LCRR’s compliance date. The LCRI will focus on four areas:
- Replacement of all lead service lines as quickly as feasible.
- Opportunities to strengthen tap sampling requirements.
- Options to reduce the complexity and confusion associated with the action and trigger levels, focusing on reducing health risks in more communities.
- Prioritization of historically underserved communities, particularly regarding the prioritization of lead service line replacements.