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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Jason Bauer, P.E., Assistant Director of Public Works/Assistant City Engineer
DATE: August 13, 2021
SUBJECT:
Establishment of a revised Private Service Line Replacement Program.
PURPOSE:
To modify the existing Private Service Line Replacement Program previously established in August, 2018.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora has long-prided itself on providing clean, safe, and good-tasting water to the community. The City replaced the last remaining lead pipes in the water distribution system many years ago and there is no detectable level of lead in the finished water pumped from the water treatment plant.
While there is no detectable level of lead in the water leaving the plant, the presence of privately-owned lead service lines connected to the distribution system can often introduce lead to the water coming out of the end user's plumbing fixtures. All water utilities in the country are required to sample the water at this location every three years to test for compliance on a number of items, including lead.
Even though the City lead sampling is in compliance with the federally regulated lead sampling, the state will still soon require the replacement of any remaining privately-owned lead service lines. While the use of lead is not allowed by the City and was banned federally in 1986, there are still approximately 20,000 lead services lines located throughout the City that had been installed prior to 1986.
Under the new state legislation, they City will be required to replace the remaining 20,000 services over a thirty-year period beginning in 2027. Over the course of the next five years, the City will begin conducting a thorough inventory to determine the location of all these services and develop the final replacement program.
While the City works on inventory and final program, there will still be ongoing work that impacts lead service lines. One other aspect of the new legislation is prohibiting partial lead service line replacements. So, while the City will not be required to commence the full replacement program until 2027, no partial service replacements will be permitted, thus requiring a modification to the City's existing Private Service Line Replacement Program.
Research has shown that when lead service lines (LSL’s) are disturbed and a portion is replaced, lead levels in the water at the customer’s tap can potentially remain elevated for weeks or months after the disturbance. As a result, this new legislation no longer allows partial replacements. With the program instated back in 2018, the City began replacing the entire section of any impacted lead service line that is located on public property (Legistar Item 18-0732, resolution R18-219). Additionally, a lead filtering device is provided along with paperwork describing the dangers of lead in drinking water. The customer is also provided with options for replacing the remainder of the service line that is located on private property. There are various options available including funding the work on their own or obtaining a loan through the City to have the work done and repaying the loan over a ten-year period.
In order to comply with the new legislation, the City will need to take a more pro-active approach towards avoiding partial lead service line replacements. In most years, the City impacts approximately 300 service lines through capital projects and maintenance operations. In many cases these are made of lead and the City will no longer be permitted to replace only a portion of the line. As such, the City will pay for the entire lead service line replacement from the main to the meter at no cost to the customer. The only cost to the customer will be the repairs to any flooring, ceiling, walls or other finishes within the building. The City will provide the new line, necessary plumbing to connect to the meter and any patching to the concrete slab or foundation wall. Full details of the proposed program are included as Exhibit 1. Exhibit 2 is a schematic that shows how a typical private service line is connected to the City's distribution system.
Any customer who obtained a loan or funded the replacement of their lead service line under the program created August 28th, 2018 will be repaid their eligible out of pocket expenses for direct payments to contractors. In order to be reimbursed, customers will need to provide detailed invoices documenting the costs of the service line replacement. Costs not specifically required to connect the service line will be omitted from any reimbursement. Any work prior to the creation of the previous program is not eligible for reimbursement. Repayments will occur within 18 months of the approval of this revised Lead Service Line Program. Any existing loans will be forgiven and any loan payments to date will be repaid.
DISCUSSION:
This resolution will ensure that the City is compliant with all new legislation regarding the elimination of lead. While the City has always encouraged participation of the customers to completely eliminate their lead service line, most users preferred to use their existing line in lieu of making any payments to eliminate the lead located on their private property.
This work will be funded from the water utility funds, which may slightly reduce the amount of other related capital work that can be completed. It is anticipated that this cost will be approximately one million dollars annually over the course of the next five years. During that time, staff will evaluate options on how to fund the full replacement program starting in 2027 as well as continue to research outside funding options.
The costs of this program will continue to be funded by the various accounts used to fund the capital improvement projects: 510-4058-511.73-02 (Watermain Eval, Repair and Replacement), 281-1856-512.73-09 (LTCP Improvements), and 510-4063-511.73-14 (Sanitary Sewer Evaluation & Rehabilitation).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The replacement of lead service lines on private property will be minimally disruptive to the affected property owner. A short-term loss of water is to be expected and patching of any walls or ceilings will be minor expenses to be covered by the property owner.
Should any customer refuse entry to allow their service line to be replaced for any reason, the City will still provide a lead filtering pitcher and will complete the replacement of the lead service line from the water main to the property line. An acknowledgement waiver must be signed and returned to the City prior to having their water turned back on.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution establishing a new Private Service Line Replacement Program.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City's existing program was established in 2018; and
WHEREAS, new state legislation will soon require the City to modify their service line replacement practices; and
WHEREAS, the new Private Service Line Replacement Program will ensure compliance with the new legislation; and
WHEREAS, the new Private Service Line Replacement is attached as Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS the City will now replace the entire privately-owned water service line from the water main to the meter; and
WHEREAS, the costs of this program will continue to be funded by the various accounts used to fund the capital improvement projects: 510-4058-511.73-02 (Watermain Eval, Repair and Replacement), 281-1856-512.73-09 (LTCP Improvements), and 510-4063-511.73-14 (Sanitary Sewer Evaluation & Rehabilitation: and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the proposed new Private Service Line Replacement Program is adopted and effective immediately upon the date of this resolution.