The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is holding public meetings to help communities and public water supply systems learn about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Lead and Cooper Rule Revisions (LCRR).  Under the LCRR, public water supply systems are required to prepare and maintain and inventory of service line materials.  This inventory is to be submitted to KDHE by October 16, 2024.

Public water supply system decision-makers, operators, and the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the inventory requirements and actions that can be taken to reduce lead exposure risks in drinking water.  Piping containing lead can become a potential health risk in drinking water.  Some homes (typically built before 1988) may have lead service lines that connect to the public water supply system.  Young children, infants and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to lead in drinking water and water used for formula because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children.

KDHE staff will review the following topics:

• Development of Lead Service Line Inventories
  • Public Water Supply System Responsibilities
  • Water System Customer Cooperation
• Lead Exposure Health Risks from Drinking Water
• Funding information for lead service line replacement

The meetings will be held:

Individuals needing accommodations should contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at least five business days before the hearing by phone at (785) 296-5514, fax (785) 559-4258 or TTY 711.

Meetings for other regions of the state will be announced once they are scheduled.

For more information about KDHE’s Lead Service Line Inventory requirements please visit KDHE.KS.gov/LCRR.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas State Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced $6,319,640 in funding for high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in eight counties in Kansas and Nebraska. USDA is making the investments through the third funding round of the ReConnect Program. … The specifics of this Kansas grant are: A $6,319,640 grant will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 704 people, 17 businesses, and 225 farms to high-speed internet in Jackson, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Republic, Washington, and Riley counties in Kansas as well as Jefferson and Thayer counties in Nebraska. … To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

South Hutchinson city leaders agreed Monday to move the city from having some of the lowest water rates in the state to average rates. While it won’t happen overnight, the council did approve a change Monday that will mean an immediate doubling in rates for some. And there was a consensus of the board to explore trying to reach the state average within just three years.That means rates could more than quintuple from current levels.
Source: Hutch News