RENO COUNTY, Kan. — Reno County Public Works Director Don Brittain let Hutch Post know via email on Thursday that he doesn't yet know the full impact of the new lead and copper rule from the EPA on the water districts controlled by the county.
"The two water districts the county oversees have all PVC main lines," said Brittain.
City of Hutchinson Public Works Director Brian Clennan implied in his comments to the City Council on Tuesday that KDHE expects water offices to find out if there is lead anywhere in the system, whether in the water utility's lines or in the lines of a homeowner.
Brittain sees that as a big challenge in the best of circumstances.
"The type of water lines located on private property will not be easy to determine and expecting all private citizens to have the money to replace a lead service line will also be an issue," Brittain said.
The EPA indicates there may be funds to help the private citizens replace lines, but they are not sure how that’s going to work at this time.
"At this time, we are only required to create a service line inventory of the type of water lines on public and private property that we provide water for by October 16,2024," Brittain said.
The city on Tuesday approved getting a 49% forgivable loan from the state to pay a consultant to do that work for them. Brittain has not yet presented to county commissioners on how anything in their jurisdiction might work.
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