IN OFFICE
ISSUE NO. 9
Topics and Trends for Municipal Leaders
Meeting minutes
From Flooding to Drought and Back Again
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Meet LaBella’s Executive Director of Climate & Environment
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Solar Decommissioning Policies Gaining Traction
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Geophysical Technologies for Sustainable Engineering
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Tackling Lead Exposure With Service Line Inventories
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Issue No. 9
RESILIENCE HAS STAYING POWER ICYMI, or in case you missed it: there were 690 brand new words, phrases, and acronyms added to the Merriam Webster dictionary in 2023, including ICYMI. Phrases like forever chemical and carbon capture also made that list. It’s only natural that as time goes on, our vocabulary expands based on trends, culture, and current events. Resilience may not be a new word, but due to the evolving topic of climate change, it’s certainly one we’re hearing more than ever before. It’s also at the forefront of the work we’re doing at LaBella, and we think it has staying power. To begin this issue, we’re excited to introduce LaBella’s first Executive Director of Climate & Environment. Read on for thoughtful groundwater management to address floodwaters and learn about a shoreline community who utilized grant funding to tackle shoreline restoration and protection. Outside of the climate lens, the US EPA pushes for more enduring water infrastructure through lead service line replacement mandates and retired solar arrays get a second go at community service after proper decommissioning. We also introduce our land surveying services to a new geography and explore the different capabilities of geophysical surveys. With each issue of In Office we present our experience, our expertise, and our forecasting on the topics and trends that affect municipal projects. Let us know if there’s a topic we can explore for you by contacting us at inoffice@labellapc.com.
What is Climate Resilience? As we move through the 21st century, our communities are in need of more holistic design solutions to create sustainable communities for generations to come. “Green” measures, such as energy-efficient buildings, the reduction of organic waste deposition into landfills, vehicle fleet electrification, and the use of natural systems to combat the effects of a changing climate, are critical. Additionally, we need to plan for a changing climate by building communities that can withstand more extreme weather events. All of these are examples of climate resilience practices that we are implementing here at LaBella. Environmental justice practices must be paired with technical expertise and grant writing savviness for public sector projects that further climate resilience – such as shoreline stabilization, invasive species control, climate action planning, or building code updates. The time is now for an all-hands-on-deck approach, including LaBella’s climate resilience task force – a dedicated team of engineers, scientists, architects, community planners, and other technical specialists ready to tackle the challenges brought on by climate change. For more information about climate resilience and how your state is working towards resilience measures, scan the QR code below.
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Issue No. 9
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Employee Spotlight
Let’s Talk Resilience: Meet LaBella’s Executive Director of Climate & Environment, Greg Senecal, CHMM Greg has 33 years of experience in designing, managing, and conducting environmental assessment programs, investigation and remediation services, and brownfield redevelopment projects. He recently transitioned from serving as LaBella’s Director of Environmental Services to a newly created role at LaBella – Executive Director of Climate & Environment. We sat down with Greg to discuss his new role and what it means for LaBella and our clients.
Why was the role of Executive Director of Climate & Environment created at LaBella? This role was created to reflect the growing need for expertise in environmental, climate, and sustainable solutions across all project types. Our focus will be connecting and aligning resources to ensure we’re providing holistic solutions. We realized our clients are interested in incorporating renewable energy, reducing their carbon footprint, implementing sustainable design practices, and planning for climate resilience. Our multi-disciplinary approach means we can pull that expertise in from across the company, no matter the primary project type. Sustainable design and climate resilience considerations are permeating every area of our practice.
What should municipalities consider if they want to incorporate sustainable design solutions? In many cases, sustainable design solutions can be incorporated without a budget increase. One of the most common ways we’re seeing municipalities embrace sustainable design is with the
use of green infrastructure. This technique is a water management system that benefits communities in a multitude of ways, including improving stormwater quality, beautifying neighborhoods by introducing native plantings, and creating a cooling effect in metropolitan areas.
The Town of Kendall, NY, featured in this issue, received funding for three REDI projects with the help our team.
Is there funding available to assist with climateresilient project initiatives?
First and foremost, the diverse group of talented professionals at LaBella is our greatest resource. With New York as the backyard of 14 of our office locations, it is the only state in the country that has the Great Lakes, an estuary river system (the Hudson River), and a coastal shoreline downstate; three unique ecosystems that will experience climate change in different ways over the coming century. With offices along the entire East Coast, we are able to really hone in our expertise from the thousands of projects we complete annually in New York State. Because of the unique ecosystems, various environmental regulations and initiatives like PFAS monitoring have been a focus for years. We are experienced and eager to take our expertise to states where studies and regulations are just emerging.
With the increased focus on climate change and renewable energy sources across the globe, we’re seeing funding become available at all levels of government. From a federal level, you could consider FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Local funding sources vary significantly from state to state, but LaBella’s planning team is well versed in the best options for your project type. An example of a local funding source near our headquarters in Rochester, NY, is the NYS Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). This funding allowed lakeside communities to submit varying project types for funding consideration, including shoreline restoration, increasing stormwater capacities, and even water/wastewater system improvements.
What makes LaBella uniquely positioned to assist with climate resilience initiatives?
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Issue No. 9
Renewable Energy
Lighting the Way: Solar Decommissioning Policies Gaining Traction By: Daniel Rafferty | Government Affairs and Community Relations Intern
What happens to solar power plants when they cease operations? With the United States ramping up the installation of renewable energy sources, a movement toward new policy has begun to emerge – what happens to a solar power plant when it is ready to be retired? Coined “decommissioning,” retiring solar arrays involves the disposal of the panels as well as the remediation of the project site on which they were installed.
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Removal of wiring, panels, and racking
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Removal of electrical equipment
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Breakup and removal of concrete pads and ballasts
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Removal of ground screws, structural supports, and power poles at or below grade
The focus for new policies related to decommissioning has brought to light two key questions:
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Removal of fencing surrounding the site
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Grading and reseeding the land
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Transportation and recycling of the solar panels
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What should the decommissioning process look like? Who will be responsible for the removal and disposal of spent units?
The way in which both questions are addressed through state and local initiatives could have major implications for developers.
What Is Decommissioning? According to the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), decommissioning refers to the process of removing an abandoned solar system and facilitating remediation of the land used for the project. With a typical lifecycle of 20 to 40 years, solar power plants must be deconstructed and disposed of after their useful lifecycle ends. Decommissioning usually involves the following:
Decommissioning requirements and the responsibility can vary drastically depending on project ownership: •
From a landowner’s perspective: If the landowner is the entity seeking the initial construction permit, the landowner may be required to enter into an agreement outlining the decommissioning plan and process. State and local regulations provide assurances to the landowner that project impacts to their land will be mitigated and the property can be reclaimed at the end of the facility’s lifecycle. Land reclamation assurances have been especially important
as this helps to ensure other landowners may be willing to commit to subsequent projects. •
From a Land Lessee’s perspective: When a facility is located on land that is not owned by the project developer, a decommissioning guaranty or security agreement between the developer and landowner will commonly be required as a part of the permitting process for the facility.
While decommissioning requirements will vary, most decommissioning plans are required to outline the following: •
A determination of future costs adjusted for present value
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Bonding, letters of credit, or other financial assurances
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Land restoration expectations and requirements
A Growing Policy Movement Currently, there is no set national policy framework for establishing the decommissioning process and who is responsible. This has left much of the policymaking up to state and local governments, creating a disconnect around decommissioning policies that vary widely from state to state and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
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A recent report found that 36 states have either current or pending legislation on decommissioning. Of these states: •
20 have legislation that mentions both solar and wind technologies
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9 have legislation that mentions only solar technologies
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4 have legislation that mentions only wind technologies
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3 make no specific mention of solar or wind, have pending legislation, or allow counties to address the topic
Why Is This Significant? Decommissioning requirements directly impact project development costs, including gaining the necessary financial assurances, and the time and labor involved in developing the decommissioning plan agreements between the developer, landowner, and/or the local jurisdiction. Moreover, some states require decommissioning plans to be updated frequently, adding to administrative and operations costs.
Decommissioning requirements can also directly impact total project expenditures and the regulatory hurdles a project must jump through to be constructed. Therefore, it is critically important to be aware of the decommissioning requirements at the state and local level. With the growing decommissioning policy movement due to the influx of new renewable energy installations, concerns around the decommissioning planning aspects of a project are growing, particularly with communities leery of the potential impacts from renewable energy systems in their community. Future project planning should strive to go beyond the minimum requirements to provide additional assurance to landowners, their neighbors, and the community that renewable energy projects will be disposed of in a strategic, coordinated, and responsible manner. Doing so will gain the trust of the local community and its officials, ultimately aiding a more expedited, less contentious project development process.
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State-by-State Analysis Despite more than half of US states having decommissioning policies, many states are either trying to pass clarifying legislation or have not enacted any formal policies to standardize decommissioning. Moreover, guidelines vary widely from state to state. While some states have expressed clear statutory requirements for decommissioning plans and processes, others leave room for interpretation. Scan the QR code below to view this article online, and scroll to the bottom to review requirements for decommissioning in the states where LaBella does business, including: New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Oregon.
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Issue No. 9
Feature
From Flooding to Drought and Back Again: Handling Weather Extremes With Stormwater Management By: Russell Urban-Mead, PG | Vice President, Hydrogeology Group Sometimes, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. When rain is sparse, drought becomes a concern and people wonder if aquifers, wells, or reservoirs are running low. When torrential flooding rains hit, we struggle to cope with too much water. Flooding events can be devastating, and data trends suggest that we have been getting more heavy rainfalls between the dry periods. To prepare for these events, there are planning responses to consider: simply rebuild and hope it doesn’t happen again, rebuild with armoring and/or raised elevations, or retreat or relocate if an area is so prone to flooding that continual rebuilding is neither practical nor financially sensible (an option rarely considered). There is one more approach to consider: find ways to reduce the peak flood levels. After all, it is the peak flood energies – those final few inches or feet of flood cresting that are too high and cause currents that are too extreme – which usually cause the most damage. Hydrogeologists suggest that thoughtful groundwater management can limit damaging flood peaks. To be successful, these tactics need to be implemented broadly across the full collection area of our streams and rivers.
Jim Tierney, the Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Office of Water Resources, once said at a Hudson River Watershed Alliance conference that the best way to manage floodwaters is to slow it down, spread it out, and soak it in. By doing this, floodwater reaches a stream more gradually, more of it gets absorbed along the way, and peak flows for each individual stream do not simultaneously converge at downstream locations. Hydrogeologists also appreciate Tierney’s advice because slowing water down allows more to sink into the ground, which contributes to groundwater recharge to keep our aquifers replenished and wells supplied.
Thoughtful Groundwater Management So, how do we slow it down, spread it out, and soak it in? In 2008, a volunteer professional working group gathered in Dutchess County, NY, to create “Recommendations for Stream & Flood Management in Dutchess County.” These recommendations were developed to address flooding threats in Dutchess County but are relevant everywhere. There are many actions, big and small, which can help.
Here are just a few of the recommendations and ideas: Enforce stormwater regulations Many states require stormwater management planning as part of permitting for new development projects. Broadly speaking, these regulations seek to detain peak floodwater volumes, soak some of it in, and then release the detained water slowly in ways that minimize high peak flows. Project applicants and planning board reviewers should strive to satisfy these regulations, and when there are choices, choose the options that slow down and soak in the rainfall. Upsize bridges and priority culverts Municipalities can consider increasing bridge spans and culvert sizes where debris blockages repeatedly occur during flood events. Ensure that such widening leaves room for streams to naturally migrate in their beds as well. Some of these corrective actions can also ensure fish connectivity in streams, but be aware, however, that many existing culverts currently cause
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As we think about storms and experience increasingly heavy rain events and flood damage, there are a wide range of protective and planning strategies that can be adopted or advocated for by municipalities.
Pictured is a medium-sized culvert temporarily slowing water down due to backup of flows.
beneficial stormwater detention where they briefly slow and spread stormwater in harmless ways along roadsides. These detained flows are temporary following a storm event and help limit downstream flooding. While not the original intent, these culverts represent a wide array of existing detention structures. Upsizing every culvert without thought risks inadvertently increasing downstream peak flooding. Mow versus scour Roadside drainage should be configured to allow for regular mowing rather than bare earth ditches. Vegetated berms help slow groundwater flow and can capture sediments. Roadside drainage should ideally distribute road runoff through detention ponds or constructed wetlands so water can further slow before entering streams. Be careful, however, about intentionally recharging road runoff since
this can lead to rising salt in groundwater. It is often better to keep salt in the surface water environment, rather than groundwater, since surface water moves through and away from an area more quickly than slow groundwater migration pathways. Avoid unnecessary clearing Channel clearing and removal of woody debris and gravel from streams should be avoided. Attempting to direct natural stream activity can be futile and disruptive to fisheries and natural vegetation communities. Wood removal at sites posing an imminent threat to critical infrastructure should still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Leave floodplains be Floodplain areas should be kept undeveloped and naturally vegetated, ensuring that floodwater overflow areas remain accessible when water needs extra space. Both floodplains and complex channels help slow floodwater movement, reducing flood crest elevations at downstream locations.
Attain FEMA eligibility Communities are encouraged to participate in local and regional planning, ensuring eligibility for FEMA support, including leveraged buyout funding for repeatedly flooded properties. Buyout programs are sometimes the wisest planning strategy where growth has placed development in flooding’s way. Restoring prior flood zone areas also helps reduce downstream flood crest levels. Expand temporary water storage Explore opportunities to expand temporary stormwater detention on restored or existing wetlands and existing or expanded floodplains.
Recharging Our Groundwater Short, heavy rainfalls typically do not recharge groundwater much because there is little time for absorption. Long, slow rainfalls allow time for absorption and therefore provide more beneficial aquifer recharge. Slowing stormwater down can resemble a long, slow rainfall.
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Issue No. 9
Feature, continued from page 7 The recommendations reviewed for slowing stormwater are almost all also beneficial to groundwater recharge and aquifer resilience. LaBella Associates has helped Dutchess County, in eastern New York State, develop and maintain an aquifer water level monitoring program since 2001. The data shows that year-over-year Dutchess County aquifers remain full of groundwater, replenished by annual precipitation of approximately 40 inches. Aquifers are recharged principally during the nongrowing season (autumn to spring) when vegetation and evaporation do not intercept and consume most precipitation. During summer, groundwater levels decline naturally as water seeps out slowly into wetlands and streams, is used by plants, or is withdrawn by wells. This cycle repeats itself every year, with small variations annually as we receive more or less rainfall.
So, as we think about storms and experience increasingly heavy rain events and flood damage, there are a wide range of protective and planning strategies that can be adopted or advocated for by municipalities.
These practices can collectively help cope with significant stormwater flooding challenges while also supporting groundwater recharge. Remember: slow it down, spread it out, soak it in!
Annual groundwater level and precipitation data (2002-2022) obtained from the Vanderbilt Mansion monitoring station, as part of the Dutchess County Groundwater Management Program.
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Land surveying continues to be an important service offered by LaBella’s New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee office locations.
Survey
Land Surveying Services Expand in the Carolinas A growing team of skilled survey professionals in LaBella’s Rock Hill, SC office is now offering comprehensive land surveying solutions across North and South Carolina. Our licensed land surveyors specialize in boundary and topographic surveys essential for land acquisition and development, as well as design surveys for new infrastructure
projects or rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. Our teams also perform: • ALTA/NSPS surveys • GPS control surveys • FEMA elevation and flood zone surveys • Land subdivision • Construction surveying support
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Deformation and monitoring surveys Utility surveys As-built surveys Differential and digital leveling Wetland surveys and mapping
The addition of land surveying in Rock Hill further solidifies our role as a comprehensive, fullservice consultant for our clients throughout the Carolinas.
Project Highlight
Black Creek Community | Chattanooga, TN Black Creek, a residential community located in Chattanooga, TN, expanded its developable area with the establishment of River Gorge Drive. This allowed access to a development area of over 3,000 acres and 1,800 residential lots. Since 2017, the team has designed three major subdivisions: The Garrison, The Knoll, and The Pass, for a total of over 300 lots, growing the community to the top of Aetna Mountain. Featured on the back
cover of this publication, the team designed a 2-mile public road extension of River Gorge Drive that links the lower areas of the existing community to the new mountaintop development. The next phase is currently in design and includes 200 residential lots and a fire station. In 2023, LaBella permitted a 13-mile natural trail system for mountain biking that is now in use. Future development on the mountaintop will add
approximately 800 residential lots, along with community areas and restaurants. LaBella provides general engineering consultation for the entire Black Creek community, including the creation of a stormwater monitoring system for which a public-private partnership between Black Creek and the City of Chattanooga was formed. This system studies water reuse through irrigation and evaporation as a green infrastructure practice.
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Issue No. 9
An electrical resistivity (ER) survey recently performed at a landfill in South Carolina. The purpose of this investigation was to identify and delineate the construction and demolition debris landfill layer, the county collection landfill layer, and native soils. ER surveys can also be utilized to evaluate the movement of methane gas through a landfill to see where it may be leaking or to assist in setting collection wells.
Survey
Beneath the Surface: A Deep Dive Into Geophysical Technologies for Sustainable Engineering By: Eric Gasiecki, PE | Senior Geotechnical Engineer As climate-related events continue to become more common and more extreme, understanding the environment and how to preserve it is paramount. One way to increase our climate resilience is to better understand what is happening beneath the Earth’s surface. Geophysics investigates the physical processes and properties of our planet below the ground’s surface. The landscape of geophysics is ever evolving and has experienced a rapid technological expansion over the last few years. Among these advancements are several geophysical options for two-dimensional (2D) and threedimensional (3D) subsurface modeling: multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) surveys, electrical resistivity surveys, seismic refraction surveys, and refraction microtremor (ReMi) surveys. These technologies, are used to gather data on the physical properties, composition,
and structure of the Earth’s subsurface, providing vital information related to the distribution of various geological features.
MASW Surveys: Unveiling Subsurface Velocity The MASW technique is used to determine the shear wave velocity profile of the subsurface with unparalleled accuracy. This non-invasive method enables us to create a 2D slice of the subsurface, determine the stiffness of subsurface soils, and map the depth of bedrock by correlating the speed at which sound waves (shear waves) travel through the different subsurface medium. This technique allows us to provide bearing capacities, identify areas of glacial till, map bedrock elevations, and determine several other engineering properties without penetrating the ground’s surface.
This process is especially helpful in adaptive reuse projects where a typical geotechnical investigation cannot take place, inside of an existing building, and in difficult-to-access areas. Since this technique is completely nondestructive, mobile enough to go anywhere a person can walk to, and does not require the use of gas-powered equipment, we can perform these surveys in areas where traditional drill rigs cannot access and provide a far less destructive testing method.
Electrical Resistivity Surveys: Peering Into Subsurface Electrical Properties Electrical resistivity surveys are used to detect differences in the electrical properties of the subsurface, enabling us to map variations in soil moisture content, geological structures, and groundwater levels. We can integrate this technique to gain invaluable insights and make informed decisions across a range of project types, optimizing resource management and minimizing unforeseen risks. With this technique, we can correlate the results of soil borings over hundreds of feet, allowing us to reduce the unknowns between distant soil borings. Additionally, as the go-to geophysical
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approach for identifying sinkhole development and water intrusion issues, this technique can be used for solar array projects in sinkhole-prone areas to further identify, delineate, and mitigate sinkhole risk.
This enables contractors to utilize more efficient construction equipment, reducing the overall carbon footprint of projects.
Seismic Refraction Surveys: Identifying Rock Layers
The ReMi survey method measures the surface waves generated by microtremors and analyzes their dispersion characteristics to determine the shear wave velocity of the subsurface. This non-invasive, cost-effective approach is typically utilized in determining seismic site classifications. Following the release of the 2024 International Building Code, seismic site classification is solely based on shear wave velocity measurements that can be collected using a ReMi survey. Often, by measuring seismic site classifications using shear wave velocity, less conservative seismic site classifications are identified when compared to using N-value analysis. This can lead to significant savings on the overall construction cost as certain seismic bracing components can be reduced or eliminated.
Seismic refraction surveys measure the velocity of seismic waves (P waves) as they traverse different materials. This method is instrumental in delineating bedrock depths and is the best way to determine the overall rippability of weathered bedrock quickly over large areas. Depending on the measured shear wave velocities, there are numerous studies that correlate the shear wave velocity of different bedrock materials and the size of excavation equipment that can rip the weathered rock. The use of seismic refraction surveys can enhance the accuracy of geological models, leading to more precise engineering designs that avoid rock outcrops and more effective mitigation of potential hazards.
ReMi Surveys: Unveiling Subsurface Layers
A profile from a proposed multi-family apartment complex in Tennessee. The profile was completed to identify potential karst/sinkhole areas as several possible sinkholes had been identified in the surrounding area. The profile shows very undulating bedrock that correlated with the standard penetration test borings shown. Multiple potential solution zones along with a potential perched water table were also identified in the survey.
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The Intersection of Innovation and Engineering These cutting-edge geophysical capabilities redefine the limits of what we can uncover beneath the Earth’s surface, offering a deeper understanding of the ground beneath us and opening avenues for more precise engineering solutions. Embracing these new geophysical techniques signifies a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional geotechnical engineering. By integrating MASW, electrical resistivity, seismic refraction, and ReMi surveys into our approach, LaBella remains ready to deliver comprehensive solutions, ensuring the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of our projects. These advancements not only enhance our capabilities but also reinforce our dedication to delivering excellence in every project we undertake. As we continue to evolve, these methodologies serve as the cornerstone of our commitment to precision, innovation, and excellence in the field of engineering.
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Issue No. 9
Pictured above is an example of both new and corroded water lines which highlights the importance of service line inventories. Image courtesy of the US EPA.
Infrastructure
Safe Water Quest: Tackling Lead Exposure With Service Line Inventories By Jennifer Vaughn | Civil Project Manager The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) mandates that all public water systems develop an inventory of their service lines and prepare a lead service line replacement plan by October 2024. Communities must act swiftly to meet this rule, published as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (40 CFR Part 141, 40 CFR Part 142). Here we break down the regulations, who is responsible, how to comply, transparency, and finally, funding.
Lead in Drinking Water Water service lines supply drinking water from the water main to the home. When service lines made of lead (lead service lines) corrode, lead can enter the water and contribute to lead exposure in drinking water. Lead presents serious health concerns, particularly for infants and young children, that have earned the US
EPA’s attention since 1991 when the first Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) was published. In 2021, the US EPA released the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which drive today’s compliance requirement for lead service line inventory and replacement plans. In November 2023, the US EPA proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) and anticipates finalizing the rule in October 2024. The US EPA published the “Rule Comparison Guide for Public Water Systems” to assist in understanding the proposed LCRI.
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Strengthening protections to reduce exposure
Today’s Regulations To comply with the current LCRR and the proposed LCRI, all systems must develop an initial lead service line inventory. This catalog of service lines becomes the foundation for a comprehensive approach to identifying lead service lines, replacing them, educating the community, and tackling lead exposure in drinking water.
Key components of the proposed LCRI include:
Responsible Entities Those subject to the LCRR include:
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Achieving 100% lead pipe replacement within 10 years
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Locating legacy lead pipes
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Improving tap sampling
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Lowering the lead action level
Community water systems: Public water systems that serve at least 15 service connections used by yearround residents or regularly serve at least 25 year-round residents (40 CFR §141.2)
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Non-transient, noncommunity water systems: Public water systems that are not community water systems and regularly serve at least 25 of the same persons over six months per year (40 CFR §141.2)
While there are a variety of ownership agreements for providing water service in the US, the rules require that both water system-owned and customerowned portions of service lines are inventoried. Water system providers are responsible for the inventory of all users connected to their system, including out-ofdistrict users. Responsibility can be complex though. For example, when a village water district provides water to a consecutive town system, such as a system with a master meter at the village limit, the village bills the town in bulk and the town bills the individual customers. In this arrangement, the consecutive system (the town) is responsible for the town inventory. However, in a customer-based intermunicipal arrangement where a village bills customers in both the village and the town, the village is responsible for the inventory of all customers served in both the village and in the town. Inventory Components Public water systems must prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials or demonstrate the absence of lead service lines by October 16, 2024. The lead service line inventory must include the following elements: •
Materials classification (lead, galvanized requiring replacement, non-lead, unknown)
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of water system-owned and customer-owned portions of each service line connected to the public water distribution system •
Location identifier for any lead or galvanized service line requiring replacement
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Inventory must be made publicly available
Additional elements are recommended to support asset management, document the existence of lead connections, and streamline future reporting. Replacement Plans Water systems must also submit a lead service line replacement plan by October 16, 2024, if it contains lead service lines, galvanized service lines requiring replacement (galvanized lines that are or were downstream of a lead service line or cannot be verified otherwise), or lead status unknown service lines (material is unknown). The lead service line replacement plan must include: •
Strategy for determining materials of lead status unknown service lines
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Procedure for conducting full lead service line replacement
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Strategy for informing customers before a replacement
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Procedures to flush lines
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Replacement prioritization strategy
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Funding strategy
The US EPA’s ”Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory” and “Service Line Inventory Template,” both released in 2022, outline these requirements and additional recommendations.
Public Transparency Public health is at the center of the US EPA’s actions to protect public health and lead service line inventories require public transparency. Community water systems and non-transient, noncommunity water systems must make a portion of their inventory publicly available. Where lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or lead status unknown lines are identified, water systems must notify the public or users of the involved building(s) through an annual notice to all existing and new customers served. If a water system serves more than 50,000 people, the inventory must be publicly available online.
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Service Line Inventories, continued from page 13
Funding for Inventories and Replacements State and federal funding is available to assist municipalities in completing lead service line inventories and replacements. Additional funding and other grant programs that support healthy, thriving communities may become available to reduce costs.
Agency
Program Title
Maximum Grant
Local Match
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
BIL Lead Service Line
$15,000,000 over the next five years (FY 20222026) for identification and replacement
Defined by state, refer to Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Priority Listing information
US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Renewal
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Varies by state and community. NYS non-entitlement is $1,000,000 for CDBG Public Infrastructure
None identified
US Environmental Protection Agency
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
Long-term, low-cost supplemental loans. $20 million minimum project size for large communities. $5 million minimum project size for small communities.
US Environmental Protection Agency
WIIN Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant in Disadvantaged Communities and Schools
$10,000,000
20% of total project
US Economic Development Administration
Public Works and Economic Development Program
$600,000 - $5,000,000
20% - 50% dependent on economic distress level
US Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
Long-term loans with repayment over 40 years. Grants may be available.
National Rural Water Association
Rural Water Loan Fund
Long-term loans up to $200,000 or 75% of project costs. Emergency loans are 90-day with no interest. Immediate turnaround on applications.
State Agencies
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund – distribution of BIL Funding and additional state appropriations
Appropriation varies by state, refer to DWSRF Priority Listing information
Match requirement varies by state and community need
A Final Word Lead in drinking water is a growing community health concern. Water systems are required to provide more information to consumers on an annual basis beginning in October 2024. Engineers, program managers, planners, and data intelligence specialists at LaBella are actively working with municipalities to catalog lead service lines, prepare replacement plans, and implement improvements to protect community members. Partnerships between drinking water service providers, engineers, health departments, community organizations, and residents can effectively and efficiently advance the quest for safe drinking water.
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Town of Kendall, NY
Restoring and Protecting a Shoreline Community and Its Residents In addition to the Thompson Drive turnaround project, the Town of Kendall received grant funding to replace four roadway cross culverts and improve their intermunicipal wastewater infrastructure.
Many communities along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline have faced challenges due to elevated water levels and an extended pattern of flooding. The Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) was created to increase the resilience of shoreline communities. The Town of Kendall, NY, was awarded grant funding for three projects within their town. One project focused on the former Thompson Drive turnaround, which had slowly eroded away. As a result, the shoreline was no longer accessible or safe for residents. After REDI funding was granted, more than 550 feet of shoreline
protection was designed using both large, stacked rocks at water level and a vegetative buffer of low growing shrubs. Combining these two techniques allowed the planting material to bind the soil together. Completed in June 2023, the shoreline restoration and new park includes a small parking lot with 10 additional parking spaces, a handicap parking space, a turnaround area, and temporary bathroom facilities. Concrete pads were installed for picnic tables, BBQ grills, benches, and a future pavilion. A variety of trees were planted throughout the site to add additional shade locations and a gravel walking path was installed through the vegetative buffer for a scenic walking trail.
River Gorge Drive, a 2-mile public extension of a boulevard-style mountain road located in Black Creek, a residential community in Chattanooga, TN. Roller-compacted concrete was utilized for the roadway surface, making it the first public road in Chattanooga to install this material. More information about this roadway and the Black Creek community can be found on Page 9.
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