The objective of this topic area was to demonstrate cost-effective repeatable approaches to identifying water service line pipe networks on DoD installations. Advanced methodologies and technologies were sought to help base personnel map their pipe infrastructure and know with confidence the composition of water service lines that serve buildings on the base.

Proposals in response to this solicitation should have advanced the state of identification approaches with methodologies that can validate service line materials non-intrusively, or without excavation. Of particular interest was the identification of lead and copper service lines due to the recent mandate by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take inventory of service line materials by October 16th, 2024.

The Installation Energy Test Bed aims to demonstrate innovative solutions, tools, or methodologies to improve the Department's management of water system infrastructure. Of particular interest were proposals that do one or more of the following:

• Analysis of Installation Master Plans records and geographic information systems (GIS) to determine pipe network and composition using date of build and other infrastructure information for validation
• Lead and copper identification is of immediate priority, however pipe composition broadly is of interest for records that can be used in future condition indexing master planning efforts or for future identification of emerging chemicals of concern
• Advanced non-intrusive identification technologies (e.g., ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic induction sensors) that can validate pipe network and composition
• Innovative corrosion inhibitors

Identifying cost-effective and scalable methodologies for bases to non-intrusively identify the composition of service lines. Records reviews and on-site examination can be resource intensive. The goal of this solicitation is to identify technologies that can assist in infrastructure analysis.

In 1991 the EPA issued the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), which underwent a major update established in December 2020. This update strengthens the LCR to better support efforts to eliminate lead in drinking water. EPA’s new rules uses science-based testing protocols to identify sources of lead in drinking water, address lead earlier in more communities, and reduces lead by more effectively managing corrosion control treatment and replacing more lead service lines in their entirety¹.

A service line is a pipe that connects tap-water service between a water main and a building. Previous testing requirements lead to potential oversight in testing water that came from lead service lines but instead was sitting in water already sitting in the internal plumbing of a building.

¹https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/documents/lcr_overview_fact_sheet_12-21-2020_final.pdf