MDC ANNOUNCES COMPLIANCE WITH NEW EPA LEAD RULES
Online map of water service line inventory database available
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(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