Predictive modeling and field inspections drive significant time and cost savings for lead service line inventories

City of North Port – Service Line Inventory

North Port Utilities provides water and sewer services to communities in the City of North Port, Florida. We’ve partnered with North Port since the early 1990s, so when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the City engaged us for support.

To help North Port comply with the EPA’s service line inventory deadline, we started with the inventory process. Our engineers reviewed numerous as-built drawings, allowing us to compare the existing system with the original design plans. We also reviewed available state and local ordinances and other documentation that could assist with the service line materials inventory development. Our predictive modeling partner drew on North Port’s existing data to develop an initial service line material inventory. After evaluating the data, we collaborated with the City’s communication team to inform residents about upcoming service line inspections that involved checking meter boxes, taking photos with a tablet, and confirming water service line materials through a fast-tracked inspection program.

Using the data from the modeling methodology, we conducted an expedited field program to inspect service lines at approximately 420 private side and 470 public side locations. With 4,000 remaining unknowns, we created a standard operating procedure for operations crews performing potholing, a series of small test holes, to confirm materials and update the inventory. Drawing on reports generated using statistical modeling methods and field inspections, we confirmed the composition and status of all 27,000-plus North Port service lines.

Now, with the inventory completed and accepted by the Florida Department of Health, North Port Utilities can offer residents peace of mind knowing their water system complies with EPA regulations.