USE OF FLUSHING TO MEET THE FEDERAL LEAD/COPPER REGULATION FOR NONTRANSIENT NONCOMMUNITY PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS
Safe Drinking Water Act

A PROJECT UNDER THE STATE/EPA AGREEMENT TO PURSUE REGULATORY INNOVATION

Overview of Project

Through this innovation project, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is proposing to authorize regular, mandated system flushing as a treatment technique option for nontransient noncommunity public water supplies covered under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Lead/Copper Rule.  Under the current EPA approach, flushing is not identified as a treatment option for these water supply systems. 

Narrative of the Project

When monitoring of a public water supply demonstrates that lead or copper are present in the water supply at levels in noncompliance with the LCR, the supplier of water must take corrective measures to eliminate the public health risk from this contamination.  In its Lead/Copper Rule, the U.S. EPA specifies certain treatment techniques: corrosion control treatment, source water treatment, lead service line replacement, and public education.  The Lead/Copper Rule also establishes minimum monitoring requirements for copper and lead in the regulated water supplies. 

Regular, mandated flushing of the water supply system is an effective corrective measure to reduce the presence of lead and/or copper and eliminate public risk, but this approach is not recognized in the LCR rule.  Under this project, regular, mandated system flushing is a treatment option that can be used in lieu of the corrosion control treatment techniques specified under the Lead/Copper Rule.  This alternative treatment method generally consists of daily flushing of each outlet in the effected portion of the water supply system to purge any water containing elevated levels of lead/copper.  Routine monitoring of water quality and the presence of a certified operator are required. 

This project is only applicable to qualified nontransient noncommunity public water supply systems (NTNC Systems).  A NTNC System is a system that serves the same 25 or more people at a nonresidential facility for at least six months of the year.  To participate, the NTNC System’s source water must meet the action levels for lead and copper, and the NTNC System must meet one or more of the specified conditions.

Approval for the use of system flushing by a participating NTNC System will be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with defined criteria and approval process.

Duration of the Project

Ongoing, unless terminated by either the MDEQ or the U.S. EPA.

Project Status

The Proposal was submitted in August 2001 and conditionally accepted by EPA in December 2001.  A project MOU is currently under development.

Project Contact for Divisions

Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division Contact
    Rich Overmyer, R.S. 
    Noncommunity Water Supply Unit Chief 
    Address:  P.O. Box 30630 
                   Lansing, MI  48909
    Phone:  517-241-1287
    Fax:  517-241-1328 
    E-mail:  overmyer@michigan.gov

Environmental Assistance Division Contact:
    Ron Holben, R.S. 
    Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division Program Contact
    Address:  P.O. Box 30457
                   Lansing, MI 48909-7957
    Phone:  517-241-8183
    Fax: 517-373-3675 
    E-mail:  holbenr@michigan.gov