Lead and Copper Revised Rule

Introduction

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have released updated standards to protect communities from the risks of lead and copper exposure found in drinking water. These standards, also known as the Lead and Copper Rule , have undergone multiple revisions since it was initially published. More recently, the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) strengthen the protections that water service providers, such as the City of Bellmead, need to meet when providing water to customers. 

Lead and Copper Sampling Program

The EPA and TCEQ mandate regular sampling to test drinking water for lead. Samples are collected from various homes within the community, focusing on those most likely to have higher lead levels. Samples are collected from inside faucets that are most frequently used for consumption, such as kitchen or bathroom sinks. These samples are analyzed in certified laboratories to measure the concentration of lead. Utilities must report these findings to the state and the public. City of Bellmead monitoring results have historically met state and federal safe drink water levels for lead. 

LCRR/LCRI Updated Requirements

In accordance with the recent revisions of the Lead and Copper Rule from the EPA, the City of Bellmead will implement measures to guarantee compliance, including:

1. Developing and maintaining a publicly accessible service line material inventory. This inventory allows customers to view the material type of City-owned (public) and customer-owned (private) service lines throughout the distribution system. The figure below distinguishes between a public and private service line.

2. Developing a service line identification strategy to identify unknown city-owned (public) and customer-owned (private) service lines. 

3. Strengthening the City's public outreach to provide more accessible information and awareness to customers regarding their water quality. 

Road to Compliance

The City of Bellmead has already taken measures to ensure compliance with the lead and copper rule and its updates. Below is a brief summary of the recent efforts:

• Performed a comprehensive record and date review to develop an initial service line material inventory.
• Conducting ongoing field investigations to identify any unknown service line materials. 
• Conducting routine water quality parameter sampling to monitor corrosivity of water flowing through the distribution system. 

If you have updated records or information regarding the service line to your address, please get in touch with us at 254-779-5829 or by contacting the Public Works Director at crice@bellmeadtx.gov.

Painting Fire Hydrants Amidst the Pandemic: Our Civic Center Heroes

In the face of adversity, our staff came together to ensure the safety and well-being of all our residents. As the world grappled with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedicated staff of our civic center took on a unique and vital task: painting every fire hydrant in our city.

The mission was clear - to beautify our city and, more importantly, to ensure that our fire hydrants remained fully functional and easily visible during these trying times. This initiative exemplifies the resilience and commitment of our Bellmead staff to overcome obstacles and make our city a safer place for all.

Fire Hydrant Replacement

Our Utility Crews are currently collaborating with contractors to execute the replacement of multiple fire hydrants across the city. While we acknowledge the existence of several other hydrants requiring attention, rest assured, we are actively addressing these deficiencies. We anticipate that some residents may encounter temporary interruptions in water service as these essential projects progress. We extend our gratitude to all our valued customers for their understanding and unwavering support throughout this process.

Automated Metering Infrastructure

The City of Bellmead partnered with Ameresco for a comprehensive smart metering infrastructure improvement project in 2021. This project included the installation of solid-state water meters and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. As part of the new AMI system installation, Ameresco replaced 3,915 water meters throughout the city and recommissioned 47 installed meters. 

By implementing an AMI system, city officials are able to more accurately capture metered water consumption. The automation of Bellmead’s billing system has improved meter accessibility issues and reduced billing errors. Customers are able to visit a customer web portal that allows them to see their historical utility consumption data.

Utility Locates

All utility locate requests are submitted through Texas 811. Requests are required at least 48 hours (two working days) prior to the planned start of excavation. For utility locate questions, call 254-799-5829.