The Science Advisory Board (SAB) Drinking Water Committee will meet via conference call on May 16 from 1-5 p.m. EDT to discuss its draft report of recommendations to EPA on questions surrounding partial lead service line replacements. The call is open to the public. To register, contact Aaron Yeow at EPA. A meeting agenda and the draft SAB review report will be posted at the SAB website a few days in advance of the meeting.
The SAB met March 30-31 to discuss the research surrounding the effectiveness of partial lead service line replacements (PLSLR) and EPA’s charge. EPA’s charge specifically asked the SAB to examine studies and make recommendations on five specific issues: the associations between elevated blood lead levels and PLSLR; the effectiveness of PLSLR in light of tap samples conducted before and after partial replacements; the effectiveness of PLSLR compared with full lead line replacements; whether a standard operating procedure (SOP) should be developed to minimize lead level spikes following PLSLR; and whether PLSLR SOPs should include steps to address concerns about galvanic corrosion.
Several members of the committee expressed a desire to recommend EPA place a ban on PLSLR under the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) and also indicated a desire to see the action level under the LCR lowered. However, SAB staff reminded the committee that its charge was for scientific advice and not policy recommendations.
While the SAB’s report is not expected until the summer, it is likely that the report will observe that:
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further research be done to better determine the relationship between PLSLR and blood lead levels, as the 2010 study by the Centers for Disease Control (Brown et al.) is not sufficient for drawing conclusions;
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first draw compliance samples following a PLSLR are not adequate to determine its effectiveness;
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full LSLR are better than PLSLR although there is limited data to quantify how long a LSLR results in lead spikes in drinking water at the tap; and
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the research regarding techniques for PLSLR is not sufficient to determine a preferred methodology and more research is needed.
The recommendations may also suggest that a water system that conducts PLSLR should provide better public education materials to the affected residences as well as POU filters for a period of time, although it is uncertain what time period would be recommended.
EPA will take the SAB’s recommendations into consideration as it develops revisions to the LCR. A rule proposal is expected in 2012.