IDEM Drinking Water Branch Office of Water Quality

IDEM Drinking Water Branch Office of Water Quality Mary Hollingsworth, Branch Chief

Drinking Water Branch • The Drinking Water Branch carries out the requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) which is designed to ensure that Public Water Supplies (PWS) deliver water to Hoosier homes and businesses that is adequate in quantity and is safe to drink. We do this by concentrating on the water from the source all the way to the tap.

Drinking Water Branch • The Drinking Water Branch has five different sections: – Compliance – Inspection – Construction Permits – Groundwater – Capacity Development and Operator Certification.

Drinking Water Branch • Forty-nine staff members are comprised of environmental scientists, inspectors, geologists and chemists • Collectively they have over 500 years of experience managing public water suppliers and carrying out requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

Drinking Water Branch

Drinking Water Branch • Systems must sample for – – – – Total Coliform Nitrate Inorganic Chemicals Volatile Organic Compounds Synthetic Organic Compounds Radionuclides Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts Lead and Copper

Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) Background • LCR, June 7, 1991 • Lead Action Level (AL) of 15 ug/L (ppb) • An AL exceedance is not a violation, but can trigger other requirements. • Applies to all Community Water Systems (CWSs) and Nontransient Noncommunity water systems (NTNCWs)

Lead and Copper Sample Collection Method • • • First Draw 6 -hour standing time One-liter Volume System or residents can collect Samples are taken from kitchen/bathroom cold water taps, typically used for consumption.

Water Quality Factors Affecting Release of Lead and Copper (EPA Technical Recommendations 2. 3) • • • Alkalnity, p. H, and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) Corrosion inhibitors Hardness (calcium and magnesium) Buffer intensity Dissolved Oxygen Ammonia, chloride, and sulfate Oxidation Reduction Potential Natural Organic Matter Iron, aluminum, and magnesium

Consumer Notice of Lead Results • All systems must provide individual Lead tap results to occupants of each location sampled. • Regardless if results exceed the Lead Action Level • An explanation of the health effects of Lead • Steps to reduce exposure • IDEM Forms page

Indiana Department of Environmental (800) 451 -6027 • (317) 232 -8603 • www. idem. in. gov Management How Lead Gets in the Water Some public water systems are facing a complex problem, due to aging pipes. Lead can be found in the pipes and/or plumbing that carries water to its consumers. Water Source Treatment facility Reducing the contamination Lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and wells do not usually contain action-level lead amounts, but the water can be corrosive to lead pipes. All large systems (serving a population greater than 50, 000 people) must have treatment in place to control corrosivity of the water. Small and medium-sized systems must have treatment in place if the systems exceed the lead or copper action level, as determined by the U. S. EPA. Utilities should test and treat water to control the corrosivity at the treatment facility. The most common treatment involves adding chemical phosphates to coat the inner lining of the service pipes to reduce contact between the water and the lead in the pipes and/or plumbing. Ultimately, utilities and property owners need to work together to replace any lead service lines with non-lead pipes and household plumbing that should not contain lead. Main lines to home and businesses Testing The main water line pipes coming directly from the treatment plant do not contain lead. Some water mains have packing that connects pipes together, which may contain lead. Service line pipes (the lines running from the water main to the home) may be made of lead. IDEM and the U. S. EPA have the same drinking water rule standards. The rule specifies kitchen or bathroom cold water taps at single family residences should be tested every three years. If more than 10% of the locations sampled have lead levels above the action level, additional action is required by the water system.

Public Education (PE) • Systems Affected • All systems exceeding Lead Action Level • Educates consumers about the lead health effects, sources, and steps to minimize exposure • Deliver materials to bill-paying customers • Deliver within 60 days after end of monitoring period

Health Effects of Exposure to Lead • Children – – – Behavior and learning problems Lower IQ and hyperactivity Slowed growth Hearing problems Anemia • Pregnant Women – Reduced growth of the fetus – Premature birth

Updates • Requested systems to complete Service Line Questionnaire. • Review and update Lead and Copper Sample Plan • Ensure systems are monitoring from locations that are at high risk of Pb/Cu contamination

Some Changes ? ? • Consumer notice within 24 hours if results is over the AL • All consumer notice within 10 days • Public Education within 30 days • Increase sampling

EPA • Developing a New Action Plan for Drinking Water – Advancing Next Generation Safe Drinking Water Act Implementation – Addressing Environmental Justice and Equity in Infrastructure Funding – Strengthening Protections against Lead in Drinking Water – Emerging and Unregulated Contaminant Strategies

Web Sites • Drinking Water and Lead – http: //www. in. gov/idem/6968. htm • Drinking Water Laboratory Certification – http: //www. in. gov/isdh/24859. htm • Drinking Water Watch • https: //myweb. in. gov/IDEM/DWW/ • Virtual File Cabinet – http: //www. in. gov/idem/6953. htm

Certified Drinking Water Labs • ISDH maintains lists of certified micro and chemistry labs • http: //www. in. gov/isdh/24859. htm

IDEM Drinking Water Watch • https: //myweb. in. gov/IDEM/DWW/

Questions Contact Information Phone: 317 -234 -7435 DWBMGR@idem. in. gov http: //www. in. gov/idem/6968. htm