City Takes Next Steps in Ensuring Mandan is a Lead-Free Community

Nov. 19, 2024 —Recently, some Mandan utility customers received a letter in the mail regarding the next step in a nation-wide project, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) project to help “get the lead out” of drinking water pipes.

As part of the LCRR rule, the North Dakota Department of Health and EPA require all water systems to send annual notifications to customers who have unknown, galvanized or lead service lines.

“If you have an unknown service line, it doesn’t mean you have a lead service line,” says AE2S Consultant for the City of Mandan project Eric Lothspeich.

Why Did I Receive a Letter? As part of this project, water service line material must be identified on both sides of the curb stop (from the curb stop to the home, and the curb stop to the water main in the street). If one side is not identified, the entire service line is classified as unknown.

City records were reviewed to identify service line material between the curb stop and the water main in the street. If no records were found, the service line was classified as “unknown.”

Earlier this year, a public survey was conducted to identify the service line material between the curb stop and home. If you did not respond to the survey, did not provide a photo showing evidence of the service line material, or the photo was inconclusive, the service line was also classified as “unknown.”

What's Next? All service lines will need to be identified in the future. If you received a letter indicating your water service line is “unknown,” and you know the material, please call Mandan Public Works at 701-667-3240 so the inventory list can be updated.

If you have a lead service line or are concerned that you might have a lead service line, you can get it tested through the following state certified laboratories (fees may apply):

• Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratory (Bismarck) ph. 701-258-9720
• ND Department of Environmental Quality – Chemistry Divisions (Bismarck) ph. 701-328-6140
• Energy Labs (Billings, MT) ph. 406-252-6352

If you did not receive a recent letter, this means your service line was identified as not containing lead, and no further action is required.

This project will continue until the service line inventory is complete. The City of Mandan has applied for funding to replace identified lead service lines through the drinking water state revolving fund.

Additional information on this project is available at cityofmandan.com/lcrr.

The City of Mandan is working with engineering consultant AE2S to conduct the lead and copper inventory. Funding for this project is provided through a contractual agreement between the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and AE2S.