Community Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is pleased to announce Jeannie Purchase, PhD., an esteemed leader in public water infrastructure, has joined CIP to champion the nationwide adoption of the CPB3 model, particularly for Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) programs.
Her notable success with managing the Lead-Free DC (LFDC) Program initiative at DC Water has positioned her as a major player in tackling lead contamination in drinking water systems. Under her guidance, LFDC achieved significant milestones in removing lead service lines, ensuring safer water for thousands of residents. With her extensive experience and proven track record, Purchase is set to expand the impact of CIP's CPB3 model, fostering partnerships with municipalities nationwide to deliver cleaner, safer drinking water.
As the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Purchase will leverage her expertise to guide other communities through the complexities of implementing comprehensive LSLR programs. The CPB3 model, known for its innovative approach to public-private partnerships, will benefit from her strategic insights and operational excellence. By integrating lessons learned from LFDC, she aims to streamline processes, set best practices for community engagement and outreach, secure funding, and optimize resource allocation for LSLR projects nationwide. This collaboration promises to accelerate the removal of lead pipes, improve public health outcomes, and build resilient water infrastructures that safeguard communities.
This announcement comes as CIP ramps up the CBP3 project in partnership with the City of Wausau, intending to replace approximately 8,000 remaining lead and galvanized service lines within the next five years. Purchase will play a crucial role in the project, leveraging best practices from her pervious roles, including her time spent on the US Water Study team at Virginia Tech.
“Jeannie’s experience both academically from her doctoral work at Virginia Tech and her practical experience through her role at DC Water makes her one of the foremost experts on lead in the country and we couldn’t be more excited to have her onboard,” said Shawn Kerachsky, CEO of CIP.
In addition to her impressive accomplishments in the LFDC program, Purchase’s academic water research during her tenure in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, where she became an expert in lead corrosion in water and remediation through household water filters, will significantly benefit CIP. She will lead strategy on robust LSLR programs that will ultimately serve as a replicable nationwide model. Her extensive experience in constructing and developing experiments and protocols will be crucial as the project progresses.
One of the main hurdles for a successful LSLR program is residential participation which requires a multi-dimensional strategy to encourage program participation. Purchase’s substantial experience as a community liaison for collaboration between US Water Study and Denmark, SC residents, will facilitate CIP’s efforts to educate and engage residents in high-risk neighborhoods.
“Building and maintaining community trust is always a top priority for us,” said Kerachsky. “I am looking forward to leveraging Jeannie’s vast experience in this regard to educate residents, eliminate obstacles, and provide the necessary support to ensure healthier, safer lives for all within the communities that we work in.”
