Council to discuss EPA lead piping rules

Kalispell City Council is expected on Monday to review the municipality’s compliance with federal rules governing the presence of lead and copper in the public water supply.  

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

The city’s public water supply must adhere to drinking water rules and regulations set by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, according to a city memo.  

In January 2021, the EPA revised its 1991 Lead and Copper Rule, which is aimed at minimizing lead and copper in drinking water. The updated federal regulation required the city to conduct tap sampling and submit a publicly accessible inventory of all service lines. 

Service lines are pipes that connect buildings and homes to the city’s water main. Lead piping will be dull gray in appearance, bendable and often feature curves between the wall or floor and valve, according to the Kalispell Public Works Department.  

The revised rules also require the city to notify the public within 30 days of recording water that surpasses the EPA’s 15 parts per billion limit. Compliance with the revised rule must be met by Oct. 16, 2024. 

According to a February 2024 memo from City Manager Doug Russell, $313,674 was allocated to the city to maintain or repair existing government facilities through the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act of 2023 passed by the Montana Legislature. A local cash match of 25% is required.  

Replacing lead service lines is considered a priority project with an estimated cost of over $250,000 to replace around 50 lead service lines. The project is one of several priority projects to possibly receive funding after public hearings held on Feb. 5 and Feb 20.  

The EPA is also finalizing the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements that look to further prevent lead exposure, requiring full lead pipe replacement within 10 years, more extensive tap sampling and lowering the lead action limit. Systems that regularly exceed the agency’s established limit will be required to promote and make lead filters available to consumers. 

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvement is set to be implemented before Oct. 16.  

Several funding options will be presented to Council for review on Aug. 26.  

The most common sources of lead in drinking water are from lead pipes, solder and brass fittings in faucets and fixtures, where the material can dissolve into water and enter as flakes and small particles, according to the EPA.  

No safe level of lead exposure exists, according to the agency. The highly toxic pollutant is stored in the bones and can damage neurological, cardiovascular, immunological, developmental and other major body systems.  

Exposure to lead has been linked to lower IQ in children and presents a high risk to infants, young children and pregnant women.  

COUNCIL ALSO is expected to discuss renewing Buffalo Hill Golf Course’s lease. The city and the Kalispell Golf Association entered a 20-year lease in 2009, and the association is seeking a 30-year renewal, according to city documents. 

The golf association will be fiscally responsible for the operation and management of the golf course under the terms of the agreement.  

If approved, the new lease will increase the threshold of improvements to the property from $25,000 to $75,000 without requiring city approval. Anything under the threshold must be reported annually. Language for a possible connection to the trail system along U.S. 93 from U.S. 2 going north is also included in the lease.  

Also on the docket for Monday, Council will discuss a speed study conducted on Three Mile Drive and Farm to Market Road that was presented during last week’s meeting. The study found that the existing speed limits on the roadway are appropriate but recommended extending the 45 mph transitional speed zones near West Valley Elementary School to meet Montana Department of Transportation guidance.  

The purpose of Monday’s work session will be for Council to identify comments to submit to the state agency. 

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at junderhill@dailyinterlake.com and 758-4407.