Lead and Copper Service Lines

On December 16, 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the current Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), originally published on January 15, 2021, at Federal Register, 86 FR 4198 have gone into effect to support development of actions to reduce lead in drinking water. The Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan includes actions such as the EPA launching a new regulatory process to  protect communities from lead in drinking water. The EPA directed states to prioritize developing lead service line inventories which needed to be submitted by October 2024. 

SERVICE LINE MATERIALS INVENTORY

In the summer of 2024, Grand Rapids Public Utilities (GRPU) worked with a local consultant (SEH) who received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to assist GRPU in completing the required service line materials inventory. The inventory work included reviewing historical records, asking residents to fill out a self-identification survey, and also conducting visual inspections.  As of October 2024, the GRPU inventory showed the following service line materials: one (1) lead, 14 galvanized, 2799 unknown material, and 683 non-lead pipes. The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/ or you may also contact GRPU at 218.326.7024.  

If you haven't submitted your materials inventory yet, you may still do so by filling out our online survey at https://arcg.is/1b01jy1 or scanning the QR code below.  

SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

The Biden-Harris Action Plan also included collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to accelerate the replacement of lead pipes over the next decade. This resulted in the MDH's Lead Service Line Replacement Program.  The 2023 Minnesota Legislature and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided funding for LSL replacements in Minnesota through the Lead Service Line Replacement Funding Program. All funding for LSL replacement projects will be provided through the Minnesota Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) program. Public Water Systems (PWS) like GRPU can apply for funding through the DWRF to replace LSLs connected to their system.  Private residents are NOT eligible to apply for funding through the DWRF. MDH states that based on current funding ability, LSL replacements will be done at no cost to the property owner for any privately owned portion of the LSL. The funding will provide a 100% grant for the privately owned portion. The publicly owned portion of the LSL will be replaced using a combination of grant funds and zero interest loans. After the work is completed, the PWS will receive a grant to pay off the loan portion.  GRPU is working to apply for these grants and zero interest loans.

You can find more information about lead effects by visiting the Minnesota Department of Health webpage on Lead in Drinking Water.

TESTING FOR LEAD

Individuals interested in testing water for lead can contact a MDH accredited laboratory to purchase a sample container and instructions on how to submit a sample.