Recently the Revised Lead & Copper Rule was adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will take effect in October of 2024. What does this mean for Beatrice citizens, and the Beatrice Water Department? The rule states that each community water system must have an inventory of all water service line materials types.
For the City of Beatrice, is not too difficult to come up with the material types for the city-owned portion. This can be accomplished by referring to our records or looking inside the water meter pit to determine the material of the city-owned service pipe. The customer-owned portion of the service line is a different story. We have no records of customer-owned water service materials. To accomplish this inventory, we need your help.
We are asking you to identify what material your water service line is made of. It might be lead, copper, galvanized steel, or plastic. In your April utility bill, you will find a flyer that will help you do this. We are only interested in the type of water service pipe that enters the residence or business. The best way to find this pipe is to locate the water shut-off valve, then follow the pipe back to where it enters your home or business. This is the water pipe material we need you to identify. The flyer will contain a QR code directing you to our website, which includes an online survey. The online survey will ask you to report what type of water service pipe you have entering your premises. There is also a video tutorial on the City of Beatrice's website to help you with this identification. You may also complete the survey in paper form on the flyer included with your utility bill, and return it to the City of Beatrice.
If you've tried to identify your water service line material, but are still unsure, a City representative will visit your home or business to inspect your service line at no cost to you. To request an inspection, complete the survey either online on the flyer and select "Yes" on "Please send a representative to verify."
The City is required to collect a materials inventory from every home and business in Beatrice. We appreciate your assistance in collecting this information.
The Lead & Copper rule change was a result of what happened in Flint Michigan a few years ago. A public health issue was created when the City's water supply switched from an outside water source back to their water treatment facility. Their water treatment facility had not been properly upgraded. Without proper treatment, Flint's water was corrosive and removed the coating inside the water pipes. This caused lead to leach into the water.
The Beatrice Water Department is proud of its history of serving the citizens of Beatrice with safe drinking water and remains committed to continuing to provide safe drinking water in the future.