OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – STV today announced the City of Edmond, Oklahoma, has selected the firm to lead a program to replace aging lead pipes and protect drinking water under the EPA’s 2024 final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The program will cover 40,000 water supply connections serving nearly 100,000 residents and will be conducted over a three-year period starting in 2026.
Building on the city’s service line inventory completed in October 2024, STV and teaming partner Carollo Engineers will develop replacement plans, update sampling programs and advance public education efforts. The team will use advanced GIS mapping and predictive modeling to prioritize areas based on pipe age, materials, neighborhood characteristics and historic water quality data, among other factors.
“Edmond is taking decisive action to protect public health and its water system,” said John Bannen, water/wastewater senior operations manager at STV. “This initiative goes beyond replacing pipes and reflects a commitment to transparency, trust and long-term water safety.”
LCRI requires cities to begin replacing old lead pipes that connect homes and businesses to the water system by 2027 and be completed by December of 2037, as these pipes can allow harmful metals into drinking water, a risk especially dangerous for children. With more than 80 childcare facilities and 27 schools in Edmond’s service area, updated sampling plans will include stricter monitoring protocols for homes, schools and childcare facilities to ensure compliance and protect vulnerable populations. STV will also develop a replacement plan designed to minimize disruption in historic neighborhoods and underserved areas.
STV will also lead a comprehensive public engagement program that includes proactive communication with affected households, coordinated outreach to schools and childcare facilities as well as regular updates on inventory status and replacement schedules. Residents will have access to multilingual resources, neighborhood workshops and a digital portal for real-time updates.
This work positions Edmond to meet EPA’s LCRI deadlines to submit its replacement plan by 2027 and complete all lead service line removals by 2037. Supported by federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and additional allocations from Oklahoma’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the initiative ensures cost-effective implementation for taxpayers.
For more than 45 years, STV has delivered integrated management strategies for water, wastewater, water resources and resource recovery projects for clients nationwide and is ranked 18th for Water Transmission Lines and Aqueducts in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms. Key projects include the Second Atoka Pipeline in Coalgate, OK, the award-winning Vista Ridge Regional Supply Project in San Antonio, Texas; the Owasso Wastewater Treatment Plant in Owasso, Oklahoma; the Walnut Hill Pump Station in Dallas, Texas and the Red Hook Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in New York City.
