HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 6/22/2021 - Memorandum From Liesel Hans Re: June 8, 2021 Work Session Summary - Safe Water Action Program (Swap)
Utilities
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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: June 11, 2021
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Liesel Hans, Interim Utilities Deputy Director
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director
RE: June 8, 2021 Work Session Summary - Safe Water Action Program (SWAP)
The purpose of this memo is to provide a summary of the discussion related to the June 8, 2021
Work Session Item: the Safe Water Action Program (SWAP).
All members of City Council were present, and the meeting was conducted virtually via Zoom.
Liesel Hans presented, and Theresa Connor, Andrew Gingerich, Jill Oropeza and Jill Burrell
were available for questions.
Presentation Summary:
Staff presented an introduction to SWAP, which is a public health initiative by Fort Collins
Utilities to find and replace any remaining aging galvanized service lines and lead goosenecks.
The presentation included general information about lead in drinking water, potential sources of
exposure, household vs. utility responsibility, and steps households can take to reduce risk.
Staff described the public engagement effort and initial estimates of scope, cost, and timeline.
Discussion Summary:
Council was supportive of the overall proactive approach, planned public engagement,
and next steps.
Council asked for clarification around the scope of households and the total cost
estimates. Staff clarified that the estimates do not include expected costs for
homeowners to replace their portion of a service line.
Council asked about provision of water filters and provided suggestions for financing
options for the customer-side replacement, citing the need to consider landlord
incentives in the case of renter-occupied homes and to look at the existing EPIC home
loan program.
Council asked about water quality testing related to lead and Staff described the annual
sampling program currently in place per the Federal Lead and Copper Rule; results are
consistently far below action levels and homeowners have no-cost options to mitigate
this small level of potential exposure. Staff noted this Rule is under revision and our
sampling program may change.
We, like most other entities across the country, communicate that there is no lead in
source water, though Staff is clarifying that there may be very low levels of lead as it is a
naturally occurring metal. It is typically below our very low detection limit, indicating
levels may be zero or near zero but cannot be precisely measured.
Next steps for SWAP:
Summer:
o Focus Groups
o Direct notifications to SWAP households (mid to late June).
o Water Commission (June 17, 2021)
o Launch of public education campaign.
Fall:
o Pilot phase of investigation and replacement work.
2022:
o Provide City Leadership and City Council a status update, lessons learned
through pilot phase, and overview of full implementation plan.