HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 5/17/2022 - Memorandum From Jill Oropeza Re: 2022 Safe Water Action Program (Swap) Update
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Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: May 4, 2022
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
FROM: Jill Oropeza, Director, Utilities Water Quality Services Division
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities
RE: 2022 Safe Water Action Program (SWAP) update
Bottom Line
The Safe Water Action Program (SWAP) is kicking off the 2022 program year following a
successful pilot project in fall of 2021. This memo provides a short update.
Background
In recent years, there has been concern and increasing awareness nationwide about the potential
presence of lead in drinking water. More communities are taking steps to identify and address
any potential sources of risk. Fort Collins Utilities treated drinking water does not have
detectable concentrations of lead and there are no full lead water service lines in the drinking
water distribution system. There are, however, a limited number of short lead connectors, known
as goosenecks, which are often connected to older galvanized water service lines. The risk of
lead exposure from lead goosenecks is considered to be low and their removal is not required by
existing regulations. Utilities desires, however, to move beyond our existing reactive practice of
replacing them when found and take a more proactive approach to locating and removing these
known lead materials from the Utilities-owned portion of the drinking water distribution system.
In early 2021, Utilities initiated the Safe Water Action Program (SWAP) to accelerate the
identification and replacement of galvanized water service lines and lead goosenecks.
Galvanized lines are steel pipes coated with zinc to prevent rust or corrosion and need to be
replaced due to age and poor condition. Currently, there are approximately 75 known galvanized
services and 682 services of undetermined material in the distribution system. The other ~98% of
the approximately 34,000 water service lines are made of known, safe materials.
Additional sources of information about the Utilities SWAP Program include:
June 8, 2021, City Council staff presentation and supporting materials about SWAP.
The Utilities SWAP website (fcgov.com/SWAP) provides detailed information about the
SWAP program, the occurrence of lead in drinking water, how to identify potential
sources of risk, and easy actions anyone can take to reduce lead exposure.
Results & Findings from 2021 SWAP Pilot Project
A pilot project was conducted in 2021 to help inform effective service line replacement
processes and to understand the potential influence of lead goosenecks on lead concentrations in
drinking water.
Replacement Processes
40 water services investigated:
o 24 lead goosenecks were replaced (16 services were all copper), lead goosenecks
were present in 60% of all service lines investigated
12 lead goosenecks with copper service line material
12 lead goosenecks with galvanized service line material
Five water meter pits were installed at locations where water meters were located in a
crawl space for increased efficiency and time savings.
Pilot Project total cost was $290,630 and average cost per service line replacement (all
inclusive) was about $12,000.
Work required cooperation between contractor, engineer, City project manager, many
Water Field Operations and Water Quality.
To date, the work for the SWAP project has been completed using the Alternative
Product Delivery System (APDS).
Lessons learned informed the recommendations moving forward to the 2022 project
process.
Communications Results
A variety of communication tools were used to inform impacted residents, including
email, letters, a packet detailing the project, and door hangers for each step of the project.
Most materials were provided in both English and Spanish.
In a post-project survey, customers indicated that the amount of information they
received was just right and useful.
For 2022, we will refine our communication pieces and continue to use the most
impactful methods: the packet, email, and door hangers.
Water Quality Testing Results
During fall of 2021, staff collected water quality samples from 18 residences in the
SWAP pilot study before and after service lines and lead goosenecks were replaced.
Three sample fractions were collected at each residence, and all samples were tested for
lead at the Utilities Water Quality Laboratory.
Lead concentrations within the study area were found to be generally low. All samples
were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule
Action Limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb), except for one residence that had a pre-
replacement lead concentration of 17.1 ppb. The post-replacement sample concentration
decreased to 6.1 ppb.
Overall, test results did not yield conclusive findings about the influence of lead
goosenecks on lead concentrations in drinking water. Some locations saw lead
concentrations decrease after replacement, some saw concentrations increase, while
others consistently saw no lead detected at all.
Results from this pilot water quality study indicate that in addition to lead goosenecks,
there are other likely factors th
Among those are the type of material used in indoor plumbing and water fixtures and the
The Utilities SWAP website has useful tips on how customers can reduce their risk of
lead exposure from sources like these.
2022 Work Plan
Service Line Replacements
Based on the Pilot Project results and lessons learned, the sequence of work was modified for
2022. Potholing (investigating the existing water service line material) began in February and is
ongoing. When approximately 100 service lines have been discovered that need to be replaced,
engineering plans will be developed for a construction contractor to begin replacement work in
summer/fall 2022. Replacement work is anticipated to last 5-6 months.
Similar to the Pilot Project, if a lead gooseneck is discovered, the resident is being provided with
a water filter. Information about their water service line material and the anticipated replacement
later this year is also provided.
Water Quality Testing
A second round of water quality testing is planned in 2022 at 16 additional locations. Pre-
replacement sampling was completed in late March and final sample collection will occur once
the service line replacement work is completed at these locations later this fall. 2022 results will
be used to confirm previous findings.
Budget
A proposal for ongoing galvanized service line replacement will be submitted for consideration
in the 2023-2024 Budgeting for Outcomes process. The anticipated two-year cost is $2,200,000.
In addition to funding the replacement work, this budget offer would fund related public
outreach and education on the h
Staff continues to monitor funding available from the Federal Infrastructure Funding Bill.
Lead and Copper Rule, the program may not be eligible for funding, at least initially. Updates
will be provided, as available.
Revised Lead and Copper Rule
In early 2021, the EPA adopted new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). The LCRR sets
forth new acti
A description of the new requirements under the LCRR and the ongoing compliance activities by
Fort Collins Utilities are outlined in a Memorandum to City Council, dated January 14, 2022 .
Among the requirements is the removal of lead service lines from drinking water distribution
systems. Because Fort Collins Utilities does not have lead service lines, it already meets this
requirement; however, work completed as part of the SWAP program will serve to further reduce
CC: Theresa Connor, Deputy Director, Utilities Engineering Division
Mark Kempton, Director of Plant Operations, Utilities Water Production Division
Amy Johnson, Civil Engineer III, Utilities Water Systems Engineering Division