The following is a press release issued by the City of Ukiah:
City of Ukiah team members are working their way through manual inspections of over 5,000 water service connections in the city, and may be spotted working both at the meter location (in the sidewalk) and where the water service is connected to each building. No interruptions of water service are necessary.
These inspections are required to demonstrate compliance with the federal Revised Lead and Copper Rule, which originated after finding contaminated drinking water systems in places like Flint, Michigan. Lead pipes are common in the east and Midwest, but rarely used in places like California. In fact, never in the history of maintaining the municipal water system have City of Ukiah crews encountered lead pipes. Regardless, demonstration of compliance is mandatory.
To ensure this effort is not wasted, crews are simultaneously mapping and entering into GIS each meter to facilitate even more efficient service in the future.
Inspections will be conducted Monday through Friday, and all team members will wear clothing/uniforms with City of Ukiah logos and drive City vehicles. Work will continue for several months, with the goal of completing all inspections by October 16, 2024.
