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BPU | CONNECTION
BPU Water: President of the

Safe Service Lines Board of Directors’ Message

In December 2021, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) to
protect public health. All water utilities must
create an online inventory of service lines,
which are the pipes connecting properties to
the water main—not the internal plumbing THOMAS
within private properties.
BPU has no known lead in its service GRONEMAN
President
lines. Our inventory confirmed that service BPU Board of Directors
lines we manage are safe and meet today’s
EPA standards. As a community-owned utility, BPU is dedicated to meeting the essential water and
electric needs of Wyandotte County with safe and reliable service.
WHAT’S NEXT? Governed by an elected six-member Board of Directors, we prioritize transparency,
BPU will continue working with the with open Board meetings and strong financial stability. Our ratings from Standard &
Kansas Department of Health and Poor’s (A), Moody’s (A2), and Fitch (A), along with recognition from the Government
Environment (KDHE) and the EPA to Finance Officers Association (GFOA), reflect our sound financial practices.
ensure ongoing compliance. This includes As a nonprofit utility, we reinvest in our community. This year, the 2024 BPU Charity
monitoring and updating service line Golf Tournament raised more than $60,000 for local children’s nonprofits, and our
data to keep your water safe.
Summer Youth Program mentored hundreds of local youths.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT YOU? We've also committed $625,000 to help families
This inventory is part of the EPA’s broader
plan under the Lead and Copper Rule through Utility and Hardship Assistance programs.
Improvements (LCRI). The EPA will use this We’ve earned national recognition for our operational excellence from the
data to assess risks, prioritize lead service line Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Water Works Association (AWWA),
replacements, and develop future regulations.
For BPU customers, this means continued and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). Honors include the RP3
transparency and safety measures to ensure Diamond Award for reliability and the 15-Year Director’s Award.
we deliver safe water. This newsletter provides helpful resources, from weatherization tips to convenient
bill payment options, and our BPU InPerson program for personalized support. Our
While BPU’s service lines contain no
known lead, the EPA advises property mission is simple: to provide safe, reliable, and affordable utilities, while continuing to
owners to stay informed about their internal invest in the community we proudly serve. Thank you for your trust and support.
plumbing. The EPA banned the installation Sincerely,
of lead service lines in 1986, with the rule
taking effect in 1988. This means that Tom
plumbing in homes or buildings installed
before 1988 may pose a potential lead risk Thomas Groneman
and should be monitored or updated to President
reduce possible exposure.
To view BPU’s service line inventory, visit
BPU Water: Safe Service Lines
www.bpu.com. You can also learn more BPU: A Leader in the United Way Effort
about the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule by
visiting www.epa.gov. BPU is proud to be the largest employer contributor to the United Way in Wyandotte
In December 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the Lead and
County and ranks among the top 10 contributors in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area.
Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) to protect public health. All water utilities must create an
In 2024, BPU’s General Manager, Bill Johnson, was nominated for the prestigious
online inventory of service lines, which are the pipes connecting properties to the water
Waymaker Award in the Executive of the Year category. This award recognizes corporate
main—not the internal plumbing within private properties.
executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing the United Way’s mission
BPU has no known lead in its service lines. Our inventory confirmed that service lines
to ensure the health, education, and financial stability of the community.
we manage are safe and meet today’s EPA standards.
Support from BPU brings the Power of Community to life. In
WHAT’S NEXT? BPU will continue working with the Kansas Department of Health
partnership with the United Way, BPU has provided millions
and Environment (KDHE) and the EPA to ensure ongoing compliance. This includes
in financial support to households across Wyandotte County.
monitoring and updating service line data to keep your water safe.
Todd Jordan, United Way of Greater Kansas City
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT YOU? This inventory is part of the EPA’s broader
Since partnering with the United Way, BPU and its employees have
plan under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The EPA will use
contributed over $2.6 million to support vital programs. Notably, 100% of
this data to assess risks, prioritize lead service line replacements, and develop
the funds raised by BPU and its employees go directly to benefit BPU’s
future regulations. For BPU customers, this means continued transparency
2 | FALL 2024 customer base in Wyandotte County, reinforcing our commitment to the
local community.