By JONATHAN SNYDER
According to city officials, the city has surveyed and identified old water pipes containing lead for approximately two-thirds of the city.
This surveying effort comes after the Environmental Protection Agency revised its rules in 2021 regarding lead and copper in water distribution pipes. These rules state that public water systems must identify and maintain an inventory of service line materials, with an initial inventory to be completed before Oct. 16 of this year.
Additionally, any lines with lead or copper in them must be replaced in 10 years. To help with costs, Indiana’s State Revolving Fund is offering a reduced interest rate for any SRF projects including lead line replacement plans. Water Distribution Supervisor Dave Hendricks states that he plans to use SRF funds to help with the replacement costs when the day comes. Hendricks further clarified that the city will replace the line going to the customer shutoff on the customer’s home.
“Who replaces it going into the customer’s house. Is it the city, state or is it the customers?’ And they (the state) are starting to identify more of it as being wrapped up in the state SRF loan that they (the state) are proposing that we use to replace these lines.” Hendricks said.
Hendricks stated that he is currently heading south throughout the older section of downtown. He is currently on the back end of the Main Street and Wiley Street intersection and will continue to work south until Spring Street. Oman stated that Wessler Engineering is consulting with the city throughout the process and is confident that the city will identify all lead-containing pipes before the deadline.
“From what I’ve identified … we’re probably pretty close to around about 800 of them (lead-containing pipes) right now,” Hendricks said.
After reporting lead-containing pipes and placing them on the Wells County GIS system, Hendricks stated that the next step is physically inspecting places where lead-containing pipes are believed to be located, but there are no official work orders or other physical documentation to prove there are. Hendricks noted that a grant from the Indiana Finance Authority allows them to pothole the questionable areas.
Potholing is a process where holes are drilled in the ground with water, loosening the dirt near the area. Afterwards, the loose dirt is suctioned up so crews can see the underground infrastructure. Oman stated that this process will not damage said infrastructure.
Once the identification process is completed, Hendricks said that the state and EPA will notify customers if they have lead-containing pipes. The statement will also give more information about when their lines will be replaced and other future concerns. Hendricks also stated that yearly updates will be given to customers with lead-containing pipes as well throughout the replacement process.
Oman stated that the city is still searching for contractors that could do the replacement work. Oman stated that all local contractors and existing excavators will be called upon with a work proposal. Oman also acknowledged that the 10-year deadline presents a very tight window contractors have to work with.
jonathan@news-banner.com
