Perkins reviews DEQ consent order on lead and copper exceedances; corrective plan largely in place

Perkins staff briefed the council on a consent order from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) addressing lead and copper exceedances in monitoring results from 2024 and 2025.

Staff explained that the exceedances arise primarily from corrosion in private service lines and older household plumbing — not from contaminants originating in the ground or wells. The corrective approach centers on corrosion-control treatment: adjusting pH to a target range (reported as between 7.2 and 7.8) and injecting orthophosphate to sequester lead and copper. Staff said orthophosphate is ineffective if pH is outside that range and that high alkalinity (hardness) complicates pH adjustment.

According to staff, the city has completed roughly 90% of the corrective work, engaged WSB Engineering to prepare an approvable corrective action plan, and is talking with vendors about implementation. Staff estimated about $40,000 in equipment and chemicals will be required. The consent order carries an initial $500 penalty; staff said the remainder of the penalty was deferred and that the DEQ reduces the penalty as tasks are completed. City staff and legal counsel reviewed the consent order language and determined signatures and formal documentation will be brought back to council in a subsequent meeting (staff indicated they have until July 1 to complete required filings).

Council did not take final action on the order at the May 12 meeting but discussed next steps, public education requirements and ongoing testing.