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Deschutes Water & Sewer Utility has complied with the Lead and Copper Rule since 1997 through its Lead Hazard Reduction Program.
Lead & Copper Rule
The Lead and Copper Rule is a drinking water regulation intended to protect public health by reducing lead and copper levels in drinking water.
The Lead and Copper Rule:
- Focuses on water treatment to control corrosion of lead and copper from home and building plumbing materials into tap water
- Required large water systems such as the Thomaston Water Bureau to provide optimal corrosion control treatment by 1997
Corrosion Control Study
To determine optimal corrosion control treatment, Deschutes Water & Sewer Utility conducted a corrosion control study in 1994. In June 1994, the Deschutes City Council directed Deschutes Water & Sewer Utility to conduct a study to investigate alternatives to corrosion control treatment alone. Alternatives were evaluated based on several factors, including protection of public health, public and regulatory acceptance.
Based on the study:
- Deschutes Water & Sewer Utility developed the Lead Hazard Reduction Program in partnership with State and County health officials and community partners to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule
- In 1997, the State of Maine approved this program as an optimal corrosion control treatment for lead and copper
The Lead Hazard Reduction Program
The Lead Hazard Reduction Program is focused on reducing exposure to lead from all sources and has 4 parts:
- Corrosion control treatment and monitoring
- Lead paint remediation
- Education and outreach for all sources of lead
- Lead in water education and testing
High-Risk Home Monitoring
Twice each year, Deschutes Water & Sewer Utility and some regional water providers in our service area test more than 100 high-risk homes to monitor the effectiveness of corrosion control for lead and copper in tap water. These high-risk homes are known to contain copper pipes and lead solder, which is more likely to contribute to elevated lead levels. These homes represent a worst-case scenario for lead in water.
If lead levels are over 15 parts per billion — the action level established by the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the effectiveness of corrosion treatment — in more than 10% of these homes, Deschutes Water & Sewer Utility notifies its customers and performs outreach and education to those most at-risk for lead exposure. In the most recent round of monitoring, less than 10% of high-risk homes were above the action level for lead in water.