BEA looking for lead and says electricity capacity increased for Brownsville
Brownsville Energy Authority (BEA) is making sure your water is safe, and leaders say TVA has significantly increased the town's electricity allowance.
In cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency and following nationwide rules, the utility has begun looking for old water service lines that may contain lead. There is no emergency and the study is routine, though it is likely to help discover unknown lead pipes. The good news is that long before the federal government banned the use of lead pipes in 1986, BEA had already discontinued the use of lead materials. According to BEA Assistant Manager Ben Thornton, Brownsville has not used lead pipe or parts since the 1940s.
BEA is looking for water service where they detect lead, for service that is found to be downstream from lead pipes and service lines not previously identified. Experts estimats about 750 customers will receive notifications. Most of the customers will likely be near downtown with homes built before 1940.
Manager Russ Stoots explains the utility meets the requirements of the original EPA rule through an approved water sampling plan and the utility has not been cited for violations.
The scope of the work and the financial responsibility will depend on where the questionable pipes are located. BEA owns the water line from the water main in the street to their custonmer's water meter. The service line from the meter to the house is owned by the property owner.
The revision to the Lead and Copper Rule sets a goal to remove all lead service lines by the year 2037.
More electricity if we need it
Since the announcement of BlueOval City, there has much focused on the capacity of our utilities—electricity included. This week Brownsville Energy Authority said the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) increased the cap on the amount of electricity they'll supply to Brownsville.
Brownsville has been limited to a supply of 20 megawatts per day. That's now been increased to 60 megawatts daily. Stoots says, "This doesn't put stress on us and means that we are more competitive in economic development."
Economic recruiters say Brownsville has turned away some industrial prospects because of their excessive demand for electricity.
