The Morehead Utility Plant Board is making plans to improve their customers’ drinking water.
That was among the updates from the organization during the regular July meeting of Morehead City Council Monday. The move comes after an Environmental Protection Agency implementation under the Lead and Copper Rule in September last year. It calls for water providers to start replacing more lead and copper service lines. Now, the M.U.P.B. is conducting a water corrosion study as they apply for a grant under the Cleaner Water Program to address the issue.
Plant Board General Manager Holly McGrath-Rosas says in the meantime the company will use chemicals to coat pipes and prevent lead and copper from leaching into the system. She adds the process will actually help those homeowners who still have older plumbing.
The utility has also resumed shut-offs following the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium on shut-offs was lifted in September, but the M.U.P.B. did not continue the practice until July 1, 2021. Nearly 400 customers are dealing with that currently: 280 are with the Plant Board as well as 108 with Rowan Water.