Title
Approval of City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Lead Service Line Replacement Policy.
Body
Agenda of November 20, 2024
Item No.: 2024-246
Amount: N/A
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary A Brown, Director, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Approval of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Lead Service Line Replacement Policy
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Director, Gary A Brown, and Deputy Director, Samuel Smalley, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department hereby approves a Lead Service Line Replacement Policy; and authorizes the Director to take all such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
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 Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has a robust program and, arguably, the best community outreach practices in the nation. This document formally sets forth DWSD’s internal and public-facing policy regarding all aspects of lead service line replacement.
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.
The Advisory Council must include a member of the public who does not serve on a governing board. DWSD presented this policy to the Advisory Council on November 20, 2024, to receive advice and feedback.
BUDGET IMPACT
This policy has no impact to the budget, as lead service line replacement costs are already a part of the budget and covered through grants, loans and other funding sources.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter did not go before the Capital Improvement and Operations Committee. The policy went before the City’s Community Water Advisory Council, which approved same on November 20, 2024.