Howard County has introduced its Service Line Stewardship Program (SLSP), an initiative designed to bolster water quality and align with the recent Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, aiming to mitigate risks associated with lead in drinking water, the County Executive Calvin Ball announced that the Department of Public Works (DPW) is spearheading the project, starting with an inventory process focused on identifying any materials that could potentially compromise water quality, according to the Howard County's press release.
Embracing the mandate of the LCRR, which requires public water systems to index and disclose locations of lead service lines by October 16, Howard County is now requesting that property owners conduct a self-audit on the material of their private lines - these are the pipes that bridge the gap between public water supply and private residences, often tucked away in basements or crawlspaces; since the use of lead pipes was outlawed in Maryland back in 1972, it's primarily older homes and undocumented service lines that will fall under scrutiny.
As explained by DPW's Director Yosef Kebede, who highlighted the importance of community engagement for the success of the SLSP, noting, "Through this vital initiative, we not only fulfill regulatory requirements but also empower residents to actively participate in helping protect our water infrastructure." This statement was obtained by the official Howard County government website.
To facilitate public participation Howard County has launched a website dedicated to the SLSG, which provides comprehensive information about the initiative and steps the County is taking to comply with the EPA's regulations, here residents can also find instructions on how to identify their service line materials, complete with a QR code leading to an online survey. After completion, the compiled data will be accessible for public viewing providing a transparent view of the process as well as the final results.
Any inquiries or concerns regarding the Service Line Stewardship Program can be directed to the SLSP team at DPW by ringing 410-313-7577 or through an email to [email protected].
