Meet Our Water Crew
Throughout the year, the HBPW water crew is busy maintaining and repairing city water lines. Maintaining the water supply to customers involves several responsibilities such as:
- Maintenance and repair to water mains and services
- Installation of water mains and services
- Maintenance of fire hydrants for fire protection
- Installation of water service for new construction
- Meter change-outs
- Valve change-outs
- Occasional maintenance of water towers and pumps
The water crew is responsible for these tasks year-round. However, during months of low temperatures, the crew can be found repairing frozen water meters along with broken water pipes.
Hydrant Flushing
Periodically, the water crew will release water from fire hydrants. Hydrant flushing is necessary to make sure adequate flow and pressure is available. Flushing is also done to remove any sediment from the pipes in order to maintain water clarity and quality in the distributing pipes. Occasionally, water becomes discolored after hydrant flushing. If this happens, run cold tap water for a few minutes until the water clears.
Education and Training
Each member of the water crew is a Certified Pipefitter, of which there are three levels – A, B, & C. Each member is also required to maintain a level 1, 2, or 3 Distribution System License and have a certain amount of hours of training to maintain their license. Along with these certifications, the HBPW holds multiple trainings throughout the year to encourage continuing education.
Meet Our Meter Department
The HBPW meter department is responsible for maintaining and repairing all residential, commercial, and industrial meters for all HBPW customers. This involves:
- Daily connecting and disconnecting of electric and water meters
- GPS and mapping of water lines
NOVEMBER 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE IMPROVEMENTS (LCRI) FAQS
The LCRI aims to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water by identifying and replacing lead service lines, improving public health protection, and increasing transparency.
The LCRI requires water systems to:
- Provide an initial inventory of lead service lines by October 16, 2024
- Regularly update their inventories
- Create a publicly available service line replacement plan
- Identify the materials of all service lines of unknown material
- Replace lead and GRR service lines, and any lead connectors encountered, that are “under the control” of the water system
Water systems must begin complying with the LCRI three years after the final rule is published in the Federal Register, which is expected to be in late 2027.
Water systems with multiple lead Action Level Exceedances must conduct additional outreach and make filters available to customers.
The HBPW tests for lead and copper in our water supply. We meet all regulatory requirements. Current regulations set testing on a 3-year rotation. Lead levels must be under 10 parts per billion.
Residents interested in testing for lead in their home can use an at-home test kit which is sold at major home improvement stores and online.
The new rule requires water utilities to replace service lines under their "control".
The homeowner is responsible for the entire service line from the water main to the home.
Not at this time, under the current regulations.
As required by the Environmental Protection Agency, the HBPW mailed LCRI letters only to customers who, according to our records, have a lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) or 'unknown' service line. If you believe you should have received an LCRI letter, or received one in error, please contact our Business Office at 573-221-8050 to be directed to a supervisor who can address your concerns.
