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NCDEQ Division of Water Infrastructure seeking Project Solicitation Forms for Lead Service Line Replacement Projects
The Division of Water Infrastructure is soliciting interest in funding specifically to identify, inventory, and replace lead service lines and lead connectors throughout water systems in anticipation of receiving these funds in fall 2023. Funding will be available for local governments, non-profit water companies, and investor-owned water utilities that request low-interest loans. Principal forgiveness will be offered for those that are eligible, subject to availability. For more information, please view the slides from the LSLR Webinar presented on May 4th.
NC DEQ has released guidance on how NC Water Systems should proceed with their service line inventories.
What Rural Water Systems Need to Know about Lead and Copper Rules
LCRR compliance deadlines are scheduled for 2024, with less than two years to go, it is critical that systems are preparing now for compliance. A recent study by 120Water shows that the majority of water systems are not ready for the new rule.
NCDEQ LSLI Templates
Water Systems in North Carolina need to be sure they are using the correct LSLI NC Template for their system size. Do not use the EPA form. Each template category will only accommodate the number of entries (service lines) based on system size.
Systems serving greater than 500 but no more than 50,000 connections should redownload the State template if you began entering your inventory prior to February 8th of 2023; there is an issue with the original template not allowing one of the required columns to be edited after row 2,260. When copying your data to the new template, exclude Column X (Entire Service Line Classification) to avoid an error alert; this column will update automatically based on your entries in the other required fields. If you have any questions, contact pwss.lcr@ncdenr.gov . Templates are available by clicking the link above.
Systems serving greater than 500 but no more than 50,000 connections should redownload the State template if you began entering your inventory prior to February 8th of 2023; there is an issue with the original template not allowing one of the required columns to be edited after row 2,260. When copying your data to the new template, exclude Column X (Entire Service Line Classification) to avoid an error alert; this column will update automatically based on your entries in the other required fields. If you have any questions, contact pwss.lcr@ncdenr.gov . Templates are available by clicking the link above.
What Rural Water Systems Need to Know about Lead and Copper RulesLCRR compliance deadlines are scheduled for 2024, with less than two years to go, it is critical that systems are preparing now for compliance. A recent study by 120Water shows that the majority of water systems are not ready for the new rule.
It is important to understand what the new rule entails so they can begin taking action:
LSL inventory and replacement. Utilities will be required to conduct a "location-based" inventory of publicly- and privately-owned LSL materials, including all systems and connections. The inventory must be submitted to the EPA within three years. Water systems with more than 50,000 customers must make the inventory public — and this is a good practice for smaller systems as well (see Fig. 1). Results also must be resubmitted alongside annual or triennial monitoring results. Once the inventory is complete, systems must develop an LSL replacement plan if lead service lines are found or if galvanized pipes that previously were connected to a lead pipe are found.
Why is there lead in the water
NRWA and 120Water entered a partnership in 2021 to expand the support and technical assistance available to State Rural Water Associations and to rural utilities.
This partnership provides tools and resources to State Rural Water Associations to manage water quality programs related to lead and other contaminants. Included are educational resources, ongoing training, and access to 120Water solutions - consisting of could-based software, point-of-use sampling kits and expert consulting services at a preferred price.Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. Among homes without lead service lines, the most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing with lead solder.
This partnership provides tools and resources to State Rural Water Associations to manage water quality programs related to lead and other contaminants. Included are educational resources, ongoing training, and access to 120Water solutions - consisting of could-based software, point-of-use sampling kits and expert consulting services at a preferred price.Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. Among homes without lead service lines, the most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing with lead solder.
Where can small systems find assistance?
Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance Program, NRWA Training and Technical Assistance program provides accredited operator certification training, board member training, and on-site technical assistance that supports the specific needs of small water system personnel, tribal systems, and overburden systems. Training Specialists have experience working with small systems and possess expert knowledge regarding their compliance challenges.
Classroom sessions are designed to meet state-specific compliance challenges. They are geographically located in areas to reach the most significant number of small system operators. This is important because many small public water systems lack the financial resources to allow operators to travel to central or urban areas for training, and these operators have no backup to respond to emergencies while they are absent.
Classroom sessions are designed to meet state-specific compliance challenges. They are geographically located in areas to reach the most significant number of small system operators. This is important because many small public water systems lack the financial resources to allow operators to travel to central or urban areas for training, and these operators have no backup to respond to emergencies while they are absent.
Partnership with 120Water
NRWA and 120Water entered a partnership in 2021 to expand the support and technical assistance available to State Rural Water Associations and to rural utilities.
This partnership provides tools and resources to State Rural Water Associations to manage water quality programs related to lead and other contaminants. Included are educational resources, ongoing training, and access to 120Water solutions - consisting of could-based software, point-of-use sampling kits and expert consulting services at a preferred price.
Please click on the link below to review slides presented by Isaac Pellerin, 120Water, at the 2022 NCRWA Leadership Summit:How to Create and Validate Service Line Inventory for Water Systems
This partnership provides tools and resources to State Rural Water Associations to manage water quality programs related to lead and other contaminants. Included are educational resources, ongoing training, and access to 120Water solutions - consisting of could-based software, point-of-use sampling kits and expert consulting services at a preferred price.
Please click on the link below to review slides presented by Isaac Pellerin, 120Water, at the 2022 NCRWA Leadership Summit:How to Create and Validate Service Line Inventory for Water Systems
Resources:
NCDEQ: | Action Required: Lead Service Line Inventory: Communication Letter, December 2022
NCDEQ - DWI | LSLI Replacement Project Solicitation Form
EPA | Funding and Technical Resources for Lead Service Line Replacement in Small and Disadvantaged Communities
EPA | Lead and Copper Rule: A Quick Reference Guide
EPA | Lead and Copper Rule Long-Term Revisions
EPA | Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
EPA | Review of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Lead & Copper Rule Revisions
NRWA | Lead & Copper Rule Overview
NRWA/120 Water | LCRR Self-Evaluation
LCRR Compliance Timeline
EPA | Reference Guide for Public Water Systems Lead and Copper Rule Comparison
NCDEQ - DWI | LSLI Replacement Project Solicitation Form
EPA | Funding and Technical Resources for Lead Service Line Replacement in Small and Disadvantaged Communities
EPA | Lead and Copper Rule: A Quick Reference Guide
EPA | Lead and Copper Rule Long-Term Revisions
EPA | Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
EPA | Review of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Lead & Copper Rule Revisions
NRWA | Lead & Copper Rule Overview
NRWA/120 Water | LCRR Self-Evaluation
LCRR Compliance Timeline
EPA | Reference Guide for Public Water Systems Lead and Copper Rule Comparison
