President Biden announces state-by-state allocation of $3BN in funding to replace lead pipes
Last week, alongside BlueConduit partner Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) in Wilmington NC, President Joe Biden announced $3 billion in funding to replace lead pipes. This funding “is part of the historic $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement provided by the President’s [2021] Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” and included the announcement of […]
Uniform Random Sampling vs Stratified Random Sampling: Which Approach is Better for Building a Representative Sample?
There are two approaches used to obtain a representative data sample for predictive modeling: uniform random sampling and stratified random sampling. BlueConduit co-founder Eric Schwartz explains the 2 approaches as well as BlueConduit’s sampling approach.
How BlueConduit Engages with State Regulators for LSLI and Predictive Modeling
In 2020, BlueConduit’s expert Data Science and Policy teams literally wrote the book on statistical and predictive methods for LSL inventory and replacement. As the October 2024 LSLI compliance deadline approaches, BlueConduit continues to engage with regulators on behalf of our customers, with a focus on partnering with state regulators to ensure all BlueConduit customers have state- and EPA-compliant LSLIs ready to submit ahead of the compliance deadline. What does this process look like?
Compliance Series: Why Is Unknown Management Critical Before The October 2024 LCRR compliance Deadline?
Unknown management isn’t a compliance requirement for October 2024 but, for the purposes of LCRR/LCRI compliance, service lines of unknown material are treated as presumed lead. Water systems that delay active identification of unknowns in their LSLI risk increased compliance requirements in the coming years leading to increased time, cost, and community pressure around lead identification and remediation.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s LSLI and Predictive Modeling Guidance
North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) recently released updated Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Guidance that outlines the requirements for utilizing statistical methods and predictive modeling to classify service line materials. What does this mean for North Carolina-based water utilities?
Meet The Team: Tyler Harmon
Tyler is BlueConduit’s Delivery Project Manager. Get to know Tyler through this quick Q&A.
BlueConduit Awarded Sourcewell Contract for Water Service Line Inventory
BlueConduit is pleased to announce it has been awarded a contract from Sourcewell, a cooperative government procurement agency. The contract is for Water Service Line Inventory and Management Systems with Related Services and was awarded following a rigorous request for proposal process resulting in contracts that meet, or exceed, local procurement requirements.
California DDW Accepts BlueConduit’s Statistical Analysis for Non-Lead Verification
The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water (DDW) approved BlueConduit’s statistical methods approach to no-lead verification, enabling BlueConduit-supported water systems to use statistical analysis to classify unknown service lines as non-lead.
Compliance Series: State Compliance Requirements for Lead Service Line Inventories
We started this series discussing the LCRR Lead Service Line Inventory compliance requirement for October 16, 2024. In this post, we shared that “some states have adopted the EPA template exactly while other states have modified the template to meet additional state-specific requirements.”
How Statistical Methods Help Low Lead (and No Lead) Water Systems
Discover the power of statistical methods in enhancing low lead (and no lead) water systems. BlueConduit’s team dives deep into the role statistics play in ensuring water safety, exploring solutions for minimizing lead levels and maximizing public health protection.
Florida DEP Approves Predictive Modeling for LSLI
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recently released updated Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Guidance that outlines the approved methods for service line material identification in the LSLI. What does this mean for Florida-based water systems?
Meet the Team: Blair Forcet
Blair is BlueConduit’s Business Development Manager. Get to know Blair through this quick Q&A.
South Carolina DHEC Approves BlueConduit’s Statistical Methods Approach to No-Lead Validation
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) approved BlueConduit’s statistical methods approach to no-lead verification, enabling the Summerville Commissioners of Public Works (CPW) to use statistical analysis to classify unknown service lines as non-lead.
BlueConduit Co-Founder Jacob Abernethy on Building Values-Based Decisions into AI and Predictive Modeling Tools
BlueConduit co-founder Jake Abernethy’s new article in Fortune magazine highlights the importance, and growing competitive advantage of, incorporating clear values and behaviors into AI tools.
Compliance Series: How do customer notifications fit into LCR/LCRI compliance?
We talk a lot about ‘compliance’ but the reality is that compliance is complicated and changes over time. This series breaks down compliance requirements across the LCR and the proposed LCRI to help you understand the who, what, and when of compliance.
BlueConduit Receives Esri’s GIS for Good Award at Esri Partner Conference for Exceptional Achievement
BlueConduit is pleased to announce it has received the GIS for Good award at the 2024 Esri Partner Conference (EPC) held March 10–11, 2024 in Palm Springs, California.
BlueConduit Comments on EPA’s Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)
A reliable lead service line inventory is essential to meet upcoming compliance requirements in the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). BlueConduit outlines its comments submitted to the EPA around this guidance.
Meet The Team: Carrie Shunia
Carrie is BlueConduit’s Marketing Manager. Get to know Carrie through this quick Q&A.
Revolutionizing Lead Service Line Removal: A Milestone for Detroit’s Water Infrastructure
Facing a problem that could normally cost billions of dollars over 40 years, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) finds that BlueConduit’s machine learning technology can help them do the impossible quickly and on a budget.
Compliance Series: What does LCR/LCRI Compliance mean, exactly?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed changes to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Long term, LCRI compliance means that every service line made of lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement materials will be replaced. How do we get there?
Meet The Team: Kristy McGrath
Kristy is BlueConduit’s Vice President of Sales and Commercial Strategy. Here’s a quick Q&A with Kristy.
Updated Michigan Deadline and Guidance for Lead Service Line Inventory
Clean drinking water and lead pipe removal has been top of mind in Michigan since the Flint water crisis. In 2018, the State of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) amended the state’s Safe Drinking Water Act to require water supplies to develop and maintain a Complete Distribution System Materials Inventory (CDSMI). […]
BlueConduit Selected for Water Innovation Pilot
BlueConduit is excited to announce the selection of our pilot project by the Sustainable Access Solution Fund.
My High-Lead Inventory is Almost Done, So Why Do I Need Predictive Modeling?
You’ve been hard at work on your lead service line inventory and your team is nearing inventory completion. But even with a draft inventory complete, your compliance work isn’t done. Learn more.
How Can AI Help Make Drinking Water Safe?
All water utilities face an October 2024 deadline to inventory their water lines. By using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), utilities can drastically save time, money, and reduce field excavation. ICYMI: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed changes to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements […]
Case Study: Getting the Lead Out in Halifax
“The BlueConduit Model has allowed us to reduce the overall number of hydrovacs we need to do to confirm service material. This means we can focus hydrovacs on the services of greatest uncertainty and spend more resources on removing lead servicing lines, ultimately improving public health.” Wendy Krkosek, Ph.D., P. Eng., Water Quality Manager, Halifax […]
Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) – What They Mean for Water Utilities
On November 30, 2023, the EPA released its Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The proposed changes would add substantial requirements for water systems. How should water systems start to prepare for compliance?
UK Water Industry Lead Knowledge Sharing
The potential for lead exposure through drinking water remains a risk in many communities around the world, Tech originally created to help US communities find and replace their lead service lines is gaining acceptance beyond our borders. On November 30, 2023, Jared Webb spoke on predictive modeling for lead service lines at a meeting of […]
Video: Kristy McGrath talks LSLI at WEFTEC
WaterWorld’s Editor-in-Chief Mandy Crispin chats with BlueConduit’s VP of Sales Kristy McGrath in this video interview from WEFTEC 2023. The two discussed the upcoming EPA Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) deadline of October 2024. They spoke at the October 2023 WEFTEC conference in Chicago, Illinois. Watch the full video on the WaterWorld website. Here links […]
December: Esri Mid-Atlantic User Conference in Philadelphia
Headed to the Esri Mid-Atlantic User Conference in Philadelphia December 13-14? Let’s talk about how we can help you leverage predictive modeling for your service line inventory within ArcGIS Online. What: Esri Mid-Atlantic User Conference Where: Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown When: December 13-14 Agenda at a Glance Come by and say hello to Kristy McGrath during […]
