42CB6F20A7ECB24B87258315005719D6 Hearing Summary

Patrick Pfalzgraff, Director, Water Quality Control Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, introduced himself to the committee and provided a brief outline of the presentation from CDPHE, Denver Water, and Metro Wastewater Reclamation District.  Mr. Pfaltzgraff distributed the presentation to the committee [Attachment A] and a fact sheet regarding MWRD [Attachment B].

Tyson Ingles, Safe Drinking Water Program, CDPHE, introduced himself to the committee and discussed lead levels in drinking water.  He stated that lead in water typically comes from the corrosion of drinking water service lines and household plumbing materials.  Mr. Ingles discussed the lead and copper rule in the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.  The rule is prescriptive and requires the state to monitor for lead and copper inside homes by testing the plumbing and use corrosion control treatment in homes.  Mr. Ingles discussed Denver Water's actions in reducing lead in drinking water.  Denver Water, in collaboration with CDPHE, studied the lead levels in drinking water in Colorado and began testing treatment options for lead in drinking water.

Mr. Ingles discussed orthophosphate and its common uses, including reducing corrosion and to lower lead concentrations.  Orthophosphate, by coating water pipes, inhibits or restricts corrosion and results in lower levels of lead in reaching the tap.

Mr. Pfaltzgraff discussed the stakeholder processes that took place to examine levels of lead in drinking water and corrosion control as a method to lower lead levels in drinking water.

Jim Lochead, Manager of Denver Water, introduced himself to the committee and provided an overview of Denver Water and lead levels in drinking water.  Mr. Lochead discussed the lead and copper rule.  Four requirements of lead and copper treatment, as provided in the rule, include water treatment, lead service line replacement, customer outreach and education, and optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT).  Mr. Lochead discussed how Denver Water implements these requirements.  Mr. Lochead discussed Denver Water's OCCT program.  Mr. Lochead discussed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that Denver Water and CPDHE entered into, where Denver Water, CDPHE, and Metro Wastewater Reclamation District regarding OCCT.

Mickey Conway, District Manager, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District (MWRD), introduced himself to the committee and gave the committee background on MWRD.  Mr. Conway discussed MWRD's process of treating wastewater and ways the district is trying to reduce the concentration of phosphorous in their system.

The panel responded to questions from the committee regarding the OCCT stakeholder process, MWRD's process of removing phosphorous, the effectiveness of pH level adjustment in treating lead levels, other methods of treating lead in drinking water, the level of salinity in wastewater, and statewide implementation of OCCTs to treat lead in drinking water.

The panel continued to respond to questions from the committee.

The committee recessed.