1. CIMCITY COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM MARTHA TASKER March 7, 2016
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Lead and Copper Rule — What Does It Mean for Salina's Citizens?
Lead and Copper Rule
The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency
on June 7, 1991. The purpose of the rule was to protect the public's health by
minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. The LCR is a treatment technique
rule that requires public water systems (PWSs) to take certain actions to minimize lead
and copper in drinking water, in lieu of a maximum contaminant level (MCL), which is
the highest concentration of chemicals permitted in drinking water systems. These
treatment techniques reduce water corrosivity and prevent the leaching of these metals
from the premise plumbing and drinking water distribution system components. Most
lead and copper found in drinking water is the result of corrosion of the customer's
pipes, fittings, bronze and brass faucets, and lead solder. The LCR requires PWSs to
monitor drinking water at customer taps. If concentrations exceed an action level of 15
parts per billion (ppb) for lead; 1,300 ppb for copper in more than 10 percent of
customer taps sampled (90th level percentile), the system must undertake a number of
additional actions to control corrosion. Exceedance of the action level is not a violation,
but can trigger other requirements such as:
• Water Quality Parameter Monitoring
• Corrosion Control Treatment
• Source Water Monitoring/Treatment
• Public Education
• Lead Service Line Replacement
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking
water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere
with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The
greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children and pregnant women. Adults
with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead
more than healthy adults. Copper can cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver or
kidney damage.
Salina's LCR Results
Salina's first lead and copper monitoring occurred in July 1992 and a total of sixty sites
were monitored. The sites were single-family structures with copper pipes with lead
solder installed after 1982 or lead pipes and/or lead services lines. Thirty sites had lead
service lines.
Salina conducted monitoring every six months when the LCR was first issued. Due to
the low levels of lead and copper found at the customer's tap, Salina was allowed to
reduce sample sites to thirty and monitor on a triennial basis. The data below provides
results for the first two and last two monitoring events.
Salina has been in compliance with the LCR for all rounds of monitoring, and the results
are reported to all customers in the annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Stabilizing the water by adding treatment chemicals is often the simplest form of
corrosion control and is accomplished by modifying low pH (acidic water conducive to
corrosion) or high pH (alkaline water conducive to scale formation) to produce less
corrosive water. In addition, corrosion inhibitors are used to form a protective film on
pipe walls (like Pepto Bismal in your stomach).
Minimize Exposure To Lead At Your Home
Let the water run from the faucet before using it for drinking or cooking any time the
water in the faucet has gone unused for more than six hours. The longer water resides
in your home's plumbing, the more lead it may contain. Let the water run until it gets
noticeably colder, usually about thirty seconds to two minutes. To conserve water, fill a
couple of bottles for drinking water after flushing the faucet, and whenever possible, use
the first flush water for purposes other than consumption. Do not cook with or drink
water from the hot water faucet. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold
water. If you need hot water, draw water from the cold water faucet and heat it on the
stove. Never use water from the faucet to prepare baby formula.
MONDAY'S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot
attendthe meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage, City Manager
Lead
EPA Action Level of 15 ppb
Copper
EPA Action Level of 1,300 ppb
Year
Test Result
Test Result
Late 1992
2.0 ppb
42 ppm
Early 1993
1.0 ppb
38 ppm
2011
1.3 ppb
59 ppm
2014
2.0 ppb
37 ppm
Salina has been in compliance with the LCR for all rounds of monitoring, and the results
are reported to all customers in the annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Stabilizing the water by adding treatment chemicals is often the simplest form of
corrosion control and is accomplished by modifying low pH (acidic water conducive to
corrosion) or high pH (alkaline water conducive to scale formation) to produce less
corrosive water. In addition, corrosion inhibitors are used to form a protective film on
pipe walls (like Pepto Bismal in your stomach).
Minimize Exposure To Lead At Your Home
Let the water run from the faucet before using it for drinking or cooking any time the
water in the faucet has gone unused for more than six hours. The longer water resides
in your home's plumbing, the more lead it may contain. Let the water run until it gets
noticeably colder, usually about thirty seconds to two minutes. To conserve water, fill a
couple of bottles for drinking water after flushing the faucet, and whenever possible, use
the first flush water for purposes other than consumption. Do not cook with or drink
water from the hot water faucet. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold
water. If you need hot water, draw water from the cold water faucet and heat it on the
stove. Never use water from the faucet to prepare baby formula.
MONDAY'S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot
attendthe meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage, City Manager