Pennsylvania American Water Launches Service Line Identification Program Amid EPA Mandates

Background
In response to stringent regulations set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the replacement of lead service lines, Pennsylvania American Water has initiated a robust outreach program aimed at cataloging the materials of water service lines for approximately 21,000 customers across Dauphin and Lebanon counties. This proactive approach is part of the company's comprehensive lead service line replacement program, which addresses critical public health concerns associated with lead exposure in drinking water. The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements mandate that all water utilities must identify, and subsequently inform the public about, the materials used in both utility-owned and customer-owned service lines. This initiative places Pennsylvania American Water at the forefront of compliance-driven infrastructure upgrades, ensuring that local communities are safeguarded against lead contamination in drinking water.

Context
The outreach effort began in Derry Township and is set to expand into other municipalities in the region, including Conewago and Londonderry Townships. The company is employing CDM Smith as the contractor responsible for conducting this vital inventory of water service line materials. Outreach personnel will conduct door-to-door canvassing, identifying lines made of lead or galvanized steel that will be targeted for replacement at no cost to the homeowners.

This initiative is not just a response to a regulatory requirement but is also aligned with a growing recognition within the industry of the importance of safeguarding water quality. As outlined by Jim Runzer, Vice President of Operations at Pennsylvania American Water, “Customer involvement makes this work possible…to help safeguard the quality of water for our customers.” Essential to the success of this program is the engagement and cooperation from local residents, whose service line ownership can greatly influence the overall health and safety of drinking water in the community.

Procurement Implications
The implications for procurement professionals are significant. As public utilities like Pennsylvania American Water work to comply with EPA mandates, there is an expected surge in demand for specialized contractor services related to water infrastructure enhancement, particularly in the areas of lead service line inventories and replacements. The involvement of CDM Smith as a contractor indicates a ripe opportunity for firms specializing in environmental compliance, engineering, and utility management to position themselves effectively in the market. Throughout Pennsylvania and similar jurisdictions, procurement efforts will likely focus on securing contractors with the expertise necessary for these critical infrastructure enhancements.

Moreover, organizations involved in water utility services should begin to forecast their procurement planning strategies towards modernization of water infrastructure and compliance with regulatory initiatives. The outreach program not only reflects ongoing infrastructural investments but is a significant step in aligning utility operations with government regulations aimed at improving public health outcomes.

In summary, as the Pennsylvania American Water service line initiative unfolds, it illustrates the more extensive trend across the public utility sector towards ensuring regulatory compliance and investment in infrastructure. Companies that can adapt to this evolving landscape are likely to benefit from increased opportunities for collaboration and contracting.

• Pennsylvania American Water is targeting nearly 21,000 customers for service line material identification.
• The outreach is part of compliance with EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
• CDM Smith is contracted to conduct the service line inventories.
• Replacement of identified lead or galvanized steel lines will be at no cost to customers.
• Over 50,000 service lines have been identified across the state since project inception.
• More than 3,400 customer-owned lead service lines have already been replaced statewide.
• This program represents a crucial step in safeguarding public health concerning drinking water safety.
• Procurement opportunities will increase for firms specializing in environmental compliance and water infrastructure projects.