Title
Recommend City of Detroit Board of Water Commissioners’ Approval of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Lead Service Line Replacement Policy.
Body
Agenda of November 20, 2024
Item No.: 24-_____
Amount: N/A
TO: The Honorable
Community Water Advisory Council
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary A Brown, Director, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Recommending Approval of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Lead Service Line Replacement Policy
MOTION
Upon review of a proposed policy and consultation with the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), the Community Water Advisory Council for the City of Detroit hereby recommends that the Board of Water Commissioners approve the DWSD Lead Service Line Replacement Policy.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
Under the State of Michigan “Lead and Copper Rule,” water providers must comply with certain requirements regarding identification of lead service lines, notifications to residents, line replacement, and public health precautions. The Lead and Copper Rule also requires water systems that serve more than 50,000 customers to establish a Community Water Advisory Council to:
• Develop plans for continuing public awareness about lead in drinking water, even when a lead action level is not exceeded;
• Review public awareness campaign materials provided by the statewide Drinking Water Advisory Council to ensure the needs and interests of the community, with consideration to the economic and cultural diversity of its residents, are addressed;
• Advise and consult with the water supply on the development of appropriate plans for remediation and public education to be implemented if a lead action level is exceeded;
• Advise and consult with the water supply on efforts to replace private lead service lines at locations where the owner declined service line replacement;
• Assist in promoting transparency of all data and documents related to lead in drinking water within the water supply service area; and
• Collaborate with local community groups to ensure that residents have the opportunity to be involved in efforts to educate the community about lead in drinking water.
DWSD presented a proposed policy to the Advisory Council on November 20, 2024, to receive advice and feedback.