How BlueConduit Engages with State Regulators for LSLI and Predictive Modeling
In 2020, BlueConduit’s data science and policy experts literally wrote the book (okay, the academic paper) on statistical and predictive methods for LSL inventory and replacement. Written in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Regulators (ASDWA), their paper outlines the guiding principles for using data science to better characterize uncertainty LSL inventories, a methodology BlueConduit developed during our work with the community in Flint, Michigan. In 2022, this methodology, along with other BlueConduit recommendations, was cited in the EPA’s Service Line Inventory Guidance; this guidance outlines the regulatory requirements for LSLI and the use of predictive modeling.
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 partnership look like?
When our Policy team speaks with regulators from the state primacy agency – that is the state agency responsible for ensuring the LCR/LCRI is implemented in that state – they focus on 3 core topics over the course of multiple conversations:
Supporting the development of state guidance
Many state regulators are continuing to define their state guidance. BlueConduit asks questions to understand what they’ve already decided, what they are considering, and what issues they are anticipating. As needed, BlueConduit then helps the regulators better understand the EPA’s guidance, best practices in data management and statistical and predictive modeling for LSLI, and the guidance put forth by other states.
Clarity on state guidance
For states that have already released LSLI guidance, there are different requirements, nuance, and (sometimes) gray areas in the guidance, particularly as it relates to the use of statistical methods and predictive modeling to classify service line materials. BlueConduit asks the regulators a lot of clarifying questions to ensure strong understanding of the state-specific requirements so we can efficiently and accurately guide the development of state-compliant LSLIs for our customers.
BlueConduit customer trust & confidence
In addition to getting clarity on state guidance, BlueConduit takes proactive steps to ensure, well ahead of the October compliance deadline, that the LSLIs we build for our customers are fully state compliant. This process looks different state-by-state; for example, in some states, we might proactively submit a sample Statistical Methods plan to understand if it meets all of the state’s requirements.
BlueConduit’s expert Policy team is currently in conversations, on behalf of our customers, with state regulators in most US states. These conversations guide our technology and data science processes to ensure we’re building a fully state- and EPA-compliant inventory on behalf of every customer.
Ready to feel confident that your inventory is fully compliant with state guidance? Reach out to schedule a consultation today.
