A City contract consultant will begin researching and testing for lead and galvanized service lines in Bartlesville thanks to a vote of the City Council on Monday.
The City Council voted to approve a professional service contract with HBK Engineering for Phase 1 of the Lead Service Line Inventory.
“On January 15, 2021, the EPA issued revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. The ultimate goal of this rule is to eliminate all lead, copper and galvanized service lines within 10 years,” said Director of Water Utilities Terry Lauritsen. “The rule requires the City to inventory all service lines, both on the public (City) and the customer side of the water meter, by October 16, 2024.”
Lauritsen said if a lead or galvanized service line is discovered on either the public or customer portion of the water service line, the City must notify the property owner of this finding and of any available financing programs to replace the line. The professional service contract will help staff identify any financing programs available for property owners.
“For municipalities, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has financing opportunities for service line replacement with 33 percent loan forgiveness,” he said.
He said the City will replace any lead or galvanized lines belonging to the City and may provide filters to assist property owners with the lines.
“This will be done over a 10-year period, and that will be reflected in our budgets during that time,” Lauritsen said.
He said over the years, approximately 30 homes in Bartlesville have been tested for lead or galvanized lines and only one was found to have “trace amounts” of lead.