Water Distribution System Material Inventory
New Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) drinking water rules mandate that the pipe material for all underground water services be identified. The goal of this reporting is to identify potentially high-risk lead and galvanized water service line locations and replace all water services with lead or galvanize pipes in 20 years (2040).
In Bay City, a water service ownership is divided into two sections identified as "city side" and "customer side" water service. City side water services are typically from the watermain in the roadway to the curb stop near the sidewalk. The customer side is typically from the curb stop into the home or building. These records are maintained in a Geographic Information System (GIS) which provides a visual representation for each water service section.
There are 14,234 total water services in Bay City:
5,325 Copper (do not contain lead or galvanized pipes)
5,085 Lead (have at least one section of lead pipe)
597 Galvanized (previously connected to lead)
3,227 water services have at least one section of unknown pipe material; all of which are on the customer side of the water service
As a proactive step hydro-excavation of unknown water services is included in the DWRF (Drinking Water Revolving Fund) program. Records are also updated during meter changes and customer service calls by Water Distribution employees.
Drinking water rules now require 5% of the known lead water services be replaced each year. To help meet these requirements Bay City has contracted with Super Construction as part of our DWRF lead abatement program.
Water Distribution employees also play an active role in replacing lead services. These programs assist in our goal to improve water quality and public health for our customers now and in the future.