Lead Service Line Replacement Inventory Update
Photo Information
Last summer, the Montana Department of Commerce announced the launch of a program offering technical support to communities across Montana in identifying the presence of lead service lines in local homes and water systems. With $100 million of federal funding available to Montana for replacing these lead lines, Commerce and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality collaborated to help communities locate and create an inventory of lead service lines.
Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time and cause adverse health effects, especially in children, infants and fetuses. There is no safe amount of lead in drinking water.
“Whether in our schools, workplaces or homes, Montanans must have access to safe, clean drinking water,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “This $100 million investment will support communities in inventorying, removing and replacing lead pipes, and promote the health and safety of all Montanans.”
With the funding, communities will receive support in the complete removal and replacement of lead lines, the installment of temporary filters designed to reduce lead in water and the restoration of sites where replacement occurred.
To access funding, communities were required to submit their inventories by Oct. 16, 2024. Commerce’s Community Technical Assistance Program created a pool of technical service providers with expertise in municipal water lines to train communities, assist with water testing and help them meet this deadline.
A total of 1,065 water line systems in Montana were required to submit an inventory by the deadline. As of Oct. 28, 2024, approximately 650 inventories had been submitted. Of the 650, 164 systems were approved to utilize Commerce’s Lead Service Lines Technical Assistance program. Commerce and DEQ will move forward with assisting the communities that submitted their inventories, dedicating time and resources to support all eligible systems with their replacements.
Communities that did not meet the deadline will be marked out of compliance with Environmental Protection Agency standards and the EPA will address any violations.
For more information regarding the LSL program, visit our CTAP Lead Service Lines webpage.
Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time and cause adverse health effects, especially in children, infants and fetuses. There is no safe amount of lead in drinking water.
“Whether in our schools, workplaces or homes, Montanans must have access to safe, clean drinking water,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “This $100 million investment will support communities in inventorying, removing and replacing lead pipes, and promote the health and safety of all Montanans.”
With the funding, communities will receive support in the complete removal and replacement of lead lines, the installment of temporary filters designed to reduce lead in water and the restoration of sites where replacement occurred.
To access funding, communities were required to submit their inventories by Oct. 16, 2024. Commerce’s Community Technical Assistance Program created a pool of technical service providers with expertise in municipal water lines to train communities, assist with water testing and help them meet this deadline.
A total of 1,065 water line systems in Montana were required to submit an inventory by the deadline. As of Oct. 28, 2024, approximately 650 inventories had been submitted. Of the 650, 164 systems were approved to utilize Commerce’s Lead Service Lines Technical Assistance program. Commerce and DEQ will move forward with assisting the communities that submitted their inventories, dedicating time and resources to support all eligible systems with their replacements.
Communities that did not meet the deadline will be marked out of compliance with Environmental Protection Agency standards and the EPA will address any violations.
For more information regarding the LSL program, visit our CTAP Lead Service Lines webpage.
Tags: Article
