City of Beatrice assessing lead, copper water lines

BEATRICE – Cities across the United States are being required to determine if there is a significant presence of lead or copper in their public water …a mandate brought on by the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

Beatrice Mayor Stan Wirth says the city previously sent out a communication to utility customers as one of the first steps in trying to find out what type of water lines are in place.

"Some five thousand homes that have been contacted...we have had reports that the property owner feels that they have a lead, or they have copper that is entering their home. I think, for the most part, that was not the case. City employees went out from the water department and viewed their service entries. They did not have lead or copper entering. Now, is there going to be some? Absolutely."

Wirth says the city is still awaiting additional responses from citizens, and will likely send a repeat communication about the survey. "We need their permission to enter their home. We certainly want somebody there, at that time. It is going to be a long process, but it is progressing pretty well. I think we have...I don't know the exact count today. The last I saw was like twelve hundred responses that came back, which is really a good start."

For homeowners who have lead or copper piping in their home, it’s their replacement cost. If it’s a service line connected to the city’s facilities, it is the city’s cost.
Wirth says the study is mandated by the federal government and is affecting all cities.

The Lead and Copper rule has its origins in federal environmental law from back in 1991. The last EPA revision of it came in 2021….an attempt to enhance treatment, monitoring, customer awareness and lead service line replacement.