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BIRMINGHAM'S LEAD REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
In September 2019, the City collected samples from 32 sites with known lead service leads out of approximately 8,870 total water customers in the city. Of the 8,870 water customers there are approximately 6% (roughly 550 customers) with lead service leads. Five (5) of the thirty-two (32) targeted sites tested exceeded the Action Level (AL) of 15 ppb (parts per billion). The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy or EGLE (formally the MDEQ) evaluates compliance with the Action Level based on the 90th percentile of all lead and copper results collected in each round of sampling. As a result of testing under this new method, the lead 90th percentile for the City of Birmingham water supply is 17 parts per billion (ppb), which exceeds the Action Level of 15 ppb. This does not mean every customer has elevated lead levels. An Action Level exceedance means that more than 10% of the samples tested under the new testing method have elevated lead levels. The City had five (5) of the targeted thirty-two (32) sites with known lead service leads report elevated lead results.
In accordance with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), it is the City’s goal to complete the remaining LSLR’s by the end of 2024. The City is actively verifying and replacing water services, free of charge to any property owner with a lead service. If you have received letters from the city, or believe you have a lead service and would like to move forward with replacement, please contact the following:
Rebecca Duggar, HRC Consultant
RJanke@hrcengr.com
Birmingham Engineering Department: 248-530-1840
The purpose of the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) is to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from corrosion of lead and copper containing plumbing materials. The rule establishes action levels (AL) for lead and copper based on a 90th percentile level of tap water samples. An action level exceedance is not a violation but triggers other requirements to minimize exposure to lead and copper in drinking water, including water quality parameter monitoring, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring/treatment, public education, and lead service line replacement. All community water supplies and non-transient noncommunity water supplies are subject to the LCR requirements.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LEAD-COPPER RULE: CLICK HERE!
Water Service Material Examples:
Not sure what type of material your service is? This example may be able to help you identify what is installed to your water meter!
Current Statistics
Updated as of February 10th, 2023:
