HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has unanimously approved a Joint Petition of Settlement regarding Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.’s Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program. The initiative aims to reduce lead exposure across the state by replacing both company-owned and customer-owned lead service lines, proactively targeting areas with higher environmental and health risks.
“This settlement will help ensure that Aqua’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program is conducted in a just and equitable manner by targeting areas with populations at a greater risk of lead exposure,” said Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss. The Commission commended the collaborative efforts among Aqua, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, and the Coalition for Affordable Utility Services and Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania in reaching this agreement.
Program Goals and Scope
Aqua’s LSLR Program is part of the company’s Third Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP), which prioritizes improving water quality, infrastructure reliability, and customer safety. Aqua provides water service to approximately 450,000 customers across 32 counties statewide.
The LSLR plan includes three core areas of focus:
- Service Line Inventory: Aqua will conduct an in-depth study to identify lead and galvanized service lines within its service territory.
- Service Line Replacement: The company aims to replace all identified lead service lines by December 31, 2034, addressing both company-owned lines (from the main to the curb) and customer-owned lines (from the curb to the structure). Aqua is authorized to replace up to 1,500 customer-owned lead service lines annually, with a systemwide goal of over 11,400 replacements.
- Outreach and Education: Aqua will launch a robust communications campaign, including printed and broadcast materials, to educate customers about the risks of lead exposure, precautionary measures, and eligibility for other income-qualified assistance programs.
Prioritization Criteria
The settlement emphasizes the need to prioritize high-risk areas and properties to protect residents most impacted by lead exposure. Aqua will use tools such as PennEnviroScreen, developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Justice40 Initiative resources to identify environmental justice areas and communities with higher concentrations of children at risk of lead exposure.
Replacement priorities include:
- Individual Properties:
- Emergency repairs revealing lead service lines.
- Residences with elevated lead levels in water samples.
- Schools and licensed daycare centers.
- Homeowners requesting replacements.
- Locations with minimal presence of lead service lines.
- Systemwide Priorities:
- Regions with higher densities of lead or galvanized lines requiring replacement.
- Locations where funding sources, such as PENNVEST, are available.
- Areas with aging water mains slated for upgrades.
Legislative Context
The LSLR Program aligns with Pennsylvania’s Act 120 of 2018, which amended the Public Utility Code to facilitate the accelerated replacement of customer-owned lead service lines. Act 120 established guidelines for cost recovery and set uniform standards for utility-led infrastructure improvement initiatives.
Approved as part of this settlement, Aqua’s plan represents a proactive approach to safeguarding public health and ensuring all customers have access to safe, lead-free drinking water. The Commission’s decision underscores the importance of collaborative, data-driven solutions for effective infrastructure upgrades.
Through this initiative, the PUC and Aqua Pennsylvania aim to address the critical public health issue of lead exposure, while advancing equity and environmental justice for Pennsylvania communities.
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