Lead-Free Initiative
Lead-Free Initiative
The Board of Public Utilities' Lead-Free Initiative is dedicated to complying with the EPA's updated Lead and Copper Rule, with a focus on identifying and eventually replacing lead service line components, educating the community, and enhancing transparency through outreach.
What is the Lead-Free Initiative?
The Lead-Free Initiative is a long-term commitment by the Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) to identify and replace all lead service line components in Cheyenne's water system. This initiative is designed to comply with the EPA's updated Lead and Copper Rule. The Lead Service Line Response Plan details the steps necessary to meet the initial compliance deadline of October 16, 2024. Additionally, a forthcoming Lead Service Line Investigation and Replacement Plan will guide the BOPU's efforts to thoroughly investigate, validate, and replace lead service lines. Through continued outreach and education, we are dedicated to safeguarding public health by minimizing lead exposure in drinking water.
- Lead Service Line Response Plan
Lead Service Line Inventory
Until 2022, the BOPU did not own or maintain service lines beyond the water main connector. Since then, the BOPU operates as a split ownership utility, meaning it shares responsibility for service lines with property owners. In this arrangement, the BOPU owns and maintains the section of the service line from the water main to and including the curb stop or shutoff, while property owners are responsible for the portion from the curb stop to their home. This structure necessitates collaboration between the BOPU and property owners to effectively identify and mitigate potential lead risks in the service lines.
To comply with the U.S. EPA's Revised LCR, the BOPU must develop and maintain a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) by October 16, 2024. The BOPU is actively digitizing all known service line locations using GIS technology. This process involves mapping service lines, curb stops, shutoffs, and water main connections to ensure accurate documentation of all customer locations. GPS coordinates of curb stop, and shutoff locations are used to accurately align the digitized service lines. Field crews are diligently locating and documenting any missing records, enabling the BOPU to efficiently identify and address lead service lines, thereby protecting public health and meeting federal requirements.
The initial EPA Lead Service Line (LSL) classification mandates utilities to categorize all service lines in their distribution systems based on the presence of lead. This process involves identifying and inventorying lines as lead, non-lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown. Due to the lack of records before 2022, the BOPU has classified most services as unknown in the initial inventory. Future EPA initiatives will guide the BOPU in investigating and validating these service lines, which is crucial for identifying lead service lines and prioritizing their replacement.