1. Home
  2. News

News

Press Release: MDC Announces Compliance With New EPA Lead Rules

MDC ANNOUNCES COMPLIANCE WITH NEW EPA LEAD RULES

Online map of water service line inventory database available
Download Press Release

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced steps taken in the compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).  The LCRR officially goes into effect on October 16. A key component of the rule requires water providers to identify any lead materials in their drinking water system and must make an online inventory of water service lines publicly available.  A water service line is the pipe that conveys water from the water main in the street to where it first enters the building, which has a Customer (private) side and a utility/MDC (public) side.

MDC drinking water does not contain lead when it leaves our water treatment plants and complies with all EPA drinking water regulations. While the safety of our water has not changed, EPA’s LCRR requires water utilities to verify the materials that the service lines are made of at each individual property and a further update to the rule requires that any lines found to contain lead are to be replaced, all by 2037. Internal plumbing is the responsibility of the homeowner.

While the majority of our over 100,000 service line records in the inventory are lead-free, there were four service lines that were found to contain lead which have already been replaced in cooperation with the homeowners, prior to the deadline set by EPA. However, there are approximately 15,000 records where the service line materials are unknown and will require further on-site investigation whether the unknown materials are on the customer or MDC side of the line. MDC is also offering to test internal plumbing for lead as part of those inspections.

Although MDC has already begun reaching out to customers to expedite identification of unknown service line materials over the past few months, all customers with either side of their service lines identified as having “unknown” materials will receive a letter from the MDC in November. This letter does not necessarily mean the service line has lead, but that it needs further investigation.

Customers confirmed to have an unknown service line on the Customer Side can identify the materials on their own with an online reporting survey or schedule an inspection by calling an MDC representative at 860-808-2347 or emailing LeadFree@themdc.com. If there is an unknown material only on the Utility Side, MDC will contact the customer.

In addition to compliance with the new rule, the MDC Board of Commissioners voted at the September 9th meeting of the District Board to fund the replacement of water service lines found to have any lead, which is not a requirement of the LCRR.

To be clear, MDC’s water is safe to drink as it has been for over 90 years. In addition to removing any service lines found to contain lead, it’s important to note that MDC has had corrosion control measures in place for decades.  MDC drinking water is treated with an orthophosphate-polyphosphate blend at its water treatment facilities which helps reduce the likelihood of lead leaching from service lines or internal plumbing as it makes its way to the faucet and is added at levels approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health.

“The good news is our customers can remain confident about the high quality of our water and our proactive water treatment measures. MDC and its Board have chosen to replace any water services found to have lead at the MDC’s expense, which is not required by the LCRR program.  We’ve already replaced the handful of lines identified with lead and stand ready to work diligently with our customers to identify the remaining unknowns,” said MDC CEO Scott Jellison.

MDC Chairman Donald Currey stated, “I appreciate my fellow board members supporting our customers by making funding for replacement of lines when necessary. While we recognize the importance of additional measures to protect our customers, we also realize the potential impact of the cost for homeowners.  Enacting this ensures better public health for our customers while keeping affordability in mind.”

For questions, please contact LeadFree@themdc.com.

For more information, see links below.
Water Service Line Inventory Map
Lead Information
Identify Your Service Line Self-Reporting Survey
EPA Website

MDC Water Service Line Inventory Map

The MDC’s online interactive map includes an inventory of over 100,000 drinking water service lines within the MDC’s distribution system. A water service line is the pipe that conveys water from the water main in the street into a property. The map is provided as a service to customers and in compliance with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision.

Water Service Line Inventory Information Page link (Learn about how to use the inventory map tool)

Direct Link to Water Service Inventory Map

Press Release: MDC Announces Completion of Durham Street Sewer Project

Press Release
Durham Street Information Flyer

First North Hartford sewer project completed ahead of schedule

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced today that it recently completed the Durham Street Sewer Separation Project, the first of the North Hartford Sewer Improvement Projects, part of the $170 million Integrated Plan, a consent order with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). The Integrated Plan is the current phase of the MDC’s Clean Water Project, a multibillion-dollar effort to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve the overall efficiency of the sewer system.

The Durham Street project, located in the Granby / Blue Hills area of North Hartford, broke ground in July of 2023 and included $1.9 million in sewer infrastructure improvements. In addition, private property protection for basements, lining of sewer house connection laterals as well as a new water main were part of the project. The project was completed a year and a half ahead of schedule. Project outreach by MDC staff and contractors was key to keeping residents informed throughout the construction process for both public right of way and private property improvements. Thirty-eight percent of the work hours on the project were performed by Hartford residents, exceeding the self-imposed goal of thirty percent set by the MDC. Two other sewer separation projects as well as three large scale sewer
rehabilitation projects are currently underway in North Hartford with more planned for 2025.

“Projects like Durham Street, combined with sewer rehabilitation projects and other private property work will continue to make substantial improvements to the infrastructure for our customers in North Hartford.
While I am pleased to have completed this first project, it is important to keep the momentum and progress moving,” said MDC CEO Scott Jellison.

MDC Chairman Donald Currey stated, “Maintaining partnerships with our customers, neighborhood groups, and state and local officials has helped the MDC demonstrate that we can get substantial projects completed
that meet our regulatory requirements, while providing a community benefit at the same time.”

Press Release: Rating Agencies Affirm MDC’s Strong Financial Position

Press Release
S&P Rating Report
Moody’s Rating Report

MDC receives high bond ratings prior to $82M sale and $21.9M refunding

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced today that Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings have released their ratings on organization’s outstanding and upcoming general obligation bond issues. 

Moody’s Investor Service affirmed its Aa2 rating and S&P Global affirmed its AA rating on the MDC’s outstanding general obligation bonds.  Both agencies maintained these ratings for the MDC’s upcoming new and refunding general obligation bond issue and provided a stable outlook.

The MDC sought these ratings in advance of an $82.0 million new money (series A) and $21.9 million refunding (series B) bond sale planned for August 8, 2024.  The new money bond issue will finance $61.8 million in water projects, $5.1 million in sewer projects, and $15.1 million in combined funding projects. The MDC will also refund the last 10-years of payments on the district’s 2014A general obligation bond issue.

The ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s represent a high-grade rating awarded by each of these agencies. Because of these ratings, the MDC is assured of receiving favorable interest rates when it issues bonds to finance its capital projects.

MDC CEO Scott Jellison stated, “I am proud to report these favorable ratings to our member towns, district board and bond holders. With a sound financial ground, we can better plan and execute the necessary infrastructure improvements for our communities.”

MDC Chairman Donald Currey said, “These ratings demonstrate our prudent fiscal management of our member towns and rate payers’ resources and ensures the lowest possible borrowing costs for the investments we make in our infrastructure.  Also, we continually look for opportunities to lower costs by refunding existing debt for lower rates.”

The rating reports issued by the two credit rating agencies present a thorough, objective, and independent analysis of the MDC’s financial operations and credit strength.

S&P Global Ratings indicated that its rating reflects the MDC’s “affluent service area, along with strong historical financial performance” and its debt service obligations benefit from management’s ability to finance its operations from a “diverse revenue stream [which] helps distribute costs over a wide base of users and helps with affordability considerations.”

Moody’s reports that its rating reflects the MDC’s “solid operating performance for sewer, water and clean water fund” and lists the MDC’s credit strengths to include an ample water supply and treatment capacity and healthy financial operations.