AWWA Standard Available to Assist Communities in Lead Service Line Removal
AWWA Standard Available to Assist Communities in Lead Service Line Removal
By Elin Betanzo, PE, Principal, Safe Water Engineering LLC
Water utilities across Michigan are ramping up lead service line replacement work this year to comply with the Michigan Lead and Copper Rule requirement to begin replacing lead service lines at an average of 5% per year starting in 2021.
The American Water Works Association prepared a standard for replacing and flushing lead service lines to identify best practices and guide water utilities through the process. This standard is an excellent resource for water utilities, engineering consulting firms, and construction firms to use as they design and implement lead service line replacement plans and programs to meet the new requirements and protect public health.
This standard should be incorporated into Requests for Proposals (RFP), lead service line replacement standards, and contract scopes of work to clarify procedures and define roles between the water utility and the contractor. This will improve the quality of work while reducing questions down the road about who has which responsibility.
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard C810-17 for Replacement and Flushing of Lead Service Lines describes essential procedures for the replacement of lead water service lines and flushing after the replacement is complete.
Highlights of the AWWA standard include:
Explains why lead service line replacement is important
Describes customer outreach regarding planned lead service line replacement projects
Presents concepts for consideration in how a water utility or contractor might best handle line replacements in their own community
Outlines techniques for locating lead service lines, along with flushing, testing and verification methods after replacement is complete.
Explains important steps for public health protection, including flushing, which is critical for clearing lead out of internal household plumbing after lead service lines are replaced.
Copies of the standard are available at: https://engage.awwa.org/personifyebusiness/store/product-details/productid/65628258