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Water staff report low supply levels, update lead-service-line inventory and compliance steps
Summary
Staff reported reservoir and supply levels below seasonal average and provided an update on the lead service line inventory and the city's multi-year compliance obligations under revised lead service rules.
The Lynn Water control staff reported lower-than-average supply capacity and provided a status update on the city's lead service line inventory and upcoming compliance steps.
Rick (chairman) told the commission that water supply capacity was at about 56 percent, below the seasonal average of roughly 72 percent; staff said heavy December rain had allowed temporary withdrawals from the Ipswich River for about 20 days but that the river could not sustain full-year withdrawals. "The water supply capacity as of yesterday was at 56%. The average of this time of year is at 72%," Rick said.
On lead service lines, staff reported completion of an initial inventory in October and additional outreach in November that produced more than 10,000 notices to the city's homeowners. Staff said they have removed about 1,000 uncertain entries from the inventory during follow-up work and have confirmed 25 public-side lead service lines. "The most important thing to remember is that this first step is to notify the residents what the service line material is," staff said, noting the rule requires notification first and then multi-year planning and replacement.
Staff described federal and state interactions: they received comments from the state agency (GDPA) and are awaiting final review. They said the regulatory timetable gives the city three years to develop a replacement plan and up to 10 years to complete removals from service lines once the plan is in effect. Staff said many older homes may also have lead solder inside plumbing, which remains a future consideration.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the cutoff date for lead use and practical issues such as goosenecks and buried connections; staff said the city stopped installing lead goosenecks in 1984 and explained how older transitions were made and how they can be disturbed by construction or water hammer events.
No formal vote was taken on the lead program; staff said they will continue the inventory and follow state guidance while pursuing funding assistance for homeowner-side replacements.
