The LCRI is a federal rule, therefore, these costs will be incurred whether Utah adopts the rule and gets primacy. Below is our cost analysis.
The exact number of public water systems that are owned by persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities is unknown as the Division does not track public water system ownership type; therefore, it is not possible to determine the aggregate cost.
However, the Division anticipates very few public water systems that are persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities will incur any costs.
The total estimated cost for addressing lead exceedances or replacing lead service lines for water systems owned by persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities spans a wide range, and cannot be determined due to the variation in system size, source of funding (federal grant/loans, self-pay, and other), variation in the number of water systems requiring remediation, variation in service line length, and variation in treatment types and costs.
Most public water systems owned by persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities will likely incur zero costs, as they are not anticipated to identify lead service lines or incur lead action level exceedances through their required monitoring.
For the small percentage of water systems that do identify lead service lines or require treatment due to lead action level exceedances, the expenses are influenced by lead service line replacement and corrosion control treatments.
For lead service line replacement, the estimated cost could be up to $10,000 per service line which includes the service line from the main to the home. Costs can vary significantly based on length, depth, material, and the replacement method.
If corrosion control treatments are needed, the costs could vary widely depending on the size and complexity of the water system, the type of treatment chosen, and ongoing chemical costs.
The total estimated cost for completing a service line inventory, sampling, and meeting the education requirement for persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities spans a wide range, and cannot be determined due to the variation in system size, source of funding (federal grant/loans, self-pay, and other), unknown number of impacted systems (some water systems may have already completed all requirements).
Many public water systems owned by persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities have already fulfilled these requirements and will not incur further costs. For those still needing to complete them, the cost is highly dependent on the system's size and the extent of work already completed for their service line inventory and lead sampling. Utah has notably become the first state to test 100% of K through 12 schools for lead in drinking water through the "Lead-Free Learning Initiative," with sampling being free for schools.
All Community and Non-Transient Non-Community public water systems owned by persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities were required to complete an initial service line inventory by 10/16/2024. While some of them have successfully identified all unknown service lines, many others still have work to do.
Identifying the remaining unknown lines will continue to be a cost over the next few years. Specific costs for persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities to conduct this inventory vary significantly based on the existing records, the need for field verification, and the size of the system. Most of them will not need to complete the most expensive method of excavation, and most will likely use less expensive methods such as record reviews, customer surveys, and looking at their meter box.
Water testing for lead typically costs between $20 and $49 per sample, and the costs for education requirements would generally involve outreach materials, public notices, and potentially community meetings.
