The City of Balaton on July 1, 2025, was put on notice by the Minnesota Department of Health about its lead and copper issue in its water system.
It was then that the council received a Notice of Potential Exceedance under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) rule.
On Oct, 8, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The LCRI also requires more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold, requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water.
In addition, the EPA said the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them.
To avoid potential lead action level exceedance, the MDH has requested the City provide a plan by the end of 2025 to reduce lead levels in distribution tap samples before the implementation of LCRI.
“The federal government came down with this lead copper rule improvement testing that we have to have all lead service lines out of the ground by 2033,” Public Works Supt. Josh Torgeson said. “We do not have any lead service lines that I’m aware of, but we do have 19 galvanized service lines; galvanized is classified under lead.”
Torgeson said the City must have all of its galvanized lines out of the ground by Nov. 1, 2027, which is when the State is dropping its lead and copper maximum level from 15 milligrams per liter down to 10.
“We have to submit something to the Department of Health what our plan is,” said Torgeson, who has been in contact with various engineering companies, that discussed grant opportunities with him. He said he doesn’t have time to pour over grant oppotunities. He said an ISG representative planned on being in town last week and will likely be at the November council meeting.
“There is still some money out there for this, said Torgeson. “We’ve got 19 of them to do. Hopefully in November, I want to get a couple engineering companies here to help us.”
According to the MDH, LCRI requirements include a 24-hour public notice; public outreach; community education; tap water lead samples to residents who request it; a Corosion Control Treatment evaluation and optimizing or installing new CCT; and six-month lead and copper compliance monitoring until CCT has been optimized. The MDH says “exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health affects in all age groups, especially pregnant women.”
