The MWRA Advisory Board is committed to supporting our member communities in their efforts to provide safe and reliable drinking water. At our recent meeting on April 18th, the Advisory Board unanimously voted to request modifications to the MWRA’s Lead Loan Community Assistance Program (LLP).
These modifications, previously discussed and unanimously approved by both the Operations Committee and the Executive Committee, aim to incentivize the expedited removal of lead service lines throughout the MWRA service area. Here’s a breakdown of the proposed changes:
- Grant and Loan Program: The LLP would become a 25% grant/75% interest-free loan program, providing significant financial relief to communities undertaking lead service line replacements.
- As-Needed Basis: The program would be available on an as-needed basis, ensuring flexibility for communities to address their specific lead service line replacement needs.
- Expedited Removal Incentive: The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions and Improvements incentivize communities to remove all lead service lines within five years instead of ten. By meeting this faster timeline, communities can potentially waive the addition of orthophosphate treatment to their water supply.
The Importance of Expedited Lead Service Line Removal
The MWRA estimates the cost of adding orthophosphate treatment could reach $60-80 million over the next two decades. Even if all lead service lines are removed after ten years, it’s unlikely the MWRA will be exempt from adding orthophosphates, resulting in an ongoing cost burden for member communities. Therefore, expedited lead service line removal offers significant financial advantages.
Making Lead Service Line Replacement Easier on Residents and Addressing Access Challenges
The Advisory Board recognizes that the most successful community lead service line replacement programs to date have made the process as easy as possible on property owners, especially considering the unique challenges associated with gaining access to private property. These programs have included features such as:
- Zero Cost to the Owner: Property owners incur no out-of-pocket expense for lead service line replacement.
- Pre-Determined Contractors: The community selects qualified contractors to conduct the work, eliminating the burden of property owners having to find their own contractor.
Beyond Financial Benefits: Public Health and Environmental Justice
It’s crucial to recognize that the benefits of removing lead service lines extend far beyond just financial savings. Here are some additional compelling reasons for full lead service line removal:
- Public Health: Lead exposure is a serious public health issue, particularly for children and pregnant women. Removing lead service lines is the only way to definitively eliminate this risk.
- Long-Term Solutions: Adding orthophosphates may temporarily reduce lead levels in drinking water, but it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem. Full removal is a permanent solution.
- Environmental Justice: Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by lead exposure. Expedited lead service line removal through the LLP can help address these environmental justice concerns.
MWRA staff will be attending the June Advisory Board meeting to discuss the Environmental Justice (EJ) aspects and benefits of the proposed LLP modifications in more detail. We encourage all interested parties to attend.
Training Opportunity
The MWRA Advisory Board recognizes the importance of keeping member communities informed. To that end, our upcoming meeting on May 16th will offer Training Contact Hours (TCHs) to attendees. This session will delve into the impending Lead & Copper regulation changes and their impact on MWRA communities.
