Title
Approving the Selection and Appointment of Members to GLWA’s Water System Advisory Council by the CEO
Body
Agenda of: December 12, 2018
Item No.: 2018- 1048
Amount: N/A
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Cheryl Porter, Chief Operating Officer - Water and Field Services
Randal Brown, General Counsel
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: December 6, 2018
RE: Approving the Selection and Appointment of Members of GLWA’s Water System Advisory Council by the CEO
MOTION
Upon recommendation and opinion of Cheryl Porter, Chief Operating Officer - Water and Field Services, and Randal M. Brown, General Counsel, the Board of Directors (Board) for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) authorizes GLWA’s Chief Executive Officer to select and appoint members to GLWA’s Water System Advisory Council.
BACKGROUND
On June 14, 2018, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) amended its Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division Supplying Water to the Public Rules. Among the amendments was the requirement that water suppliers serving a population of 50,000 or more create water system advisory councils. The council shall consist of at least 5 members, appointed by the community supply. To be eligible for appointment to the council, an individual shall have a demonstrated interest in or knowledge about lead in drinking water and its effects. At least one member must be a local resident who does not formally represent the interests of any incorporated organization. The members first appointed to a council shall be appointed within 180 days after the effective date of this rule, which is December 14, 2018. The council shall do the following:
(i) Develop plans for continuing public awareness about lead in drinking water, even when the action level is not exceeded.
(ii) Review public awareness campaign materials provided by the statewide drinking water advisory council to ensure the needs and interests of the community, considering the economic and cultural diversity of its residents, are addressed.
(iii) Advise and consult with the water supply on the development of appropriate plans for remediation and public education to be implemented if a lead action level is exceeded.
(iv) Advise and consult with the water supply on efforts to replace private lead service lines at locations where the owner declined service line replacement.
(v) Assist in promoting transparency of all data and documents related to lead in drinking water within the water supply service area.
(vi) Collaborate with local community groups to ensure that residents have the opportunity to be involved in efforts to educate the community about lead in drinking water. See R 325.1010(7)
GLWA’s Administration will likely request an exemption for its member-partners with a population greater than 50,000 from creating a separate water supply advisory council as the efforts will become duplicative of GLWA’s efforts to complete the aforementioned obligations of the water supply advisory council. Instead, GLWA will utilize a regional water supply advisory council. Regardless of whether the MDEQ grants exemptions to GLWA’s member partners, the MDEQ has advised GLWA that it must create its own water supply advisory council because it, by definition, is a water supplier, which serves more a population greater the 50,000 people.
JUSTIFICATION
GLWA is mandated to create a water supply advisory council. GLWA’s Administration seeks the Board authority to have the Chief Executive Officer select and appoint members to GLWA’s water supply advisory council. Granting this authority will allow GLWA to comply with this mandate in a timely manner.
BUDGET IMPACT
To the extent there are expenses associated with this authorization, those expenses are within levels and programs authorized as a part of the GLWA’s budget. At this time, there is no funding from the State of Michigan to support the creation of and the future costs associated with the activities of the GLWA’s water supply advisory council.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter is being sent directly to the full Board of Directors.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
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This matter does not impact the Shared Services Agreement executed by the GLWA and DWSD. |
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