Lead Line Project

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

In June 2018 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE), promulgated major revisions to Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule as a result of past events in Flint, MI.

These rules, commonly called the Lead & Copper Rule (LCR) requires public water supplies to identify and replace water services constructed of lead or galvanized iron.  These changes also now require cities to inform the property owners and occupants of a premises, within 30 days of its discovery, of a water service line containing any lead, galvanized iron, or a service that is suspected to have ever contained these materials.  These water service lines are now considered lead service lines (LSLs).

The City of Hillsdale applies an extremely effective corrosion-control treatment in order to protect your plumbing from leaching minerals into the water.  Additionally, the City adheres to the standards and testing requirements found in the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The city is required to submit a verified inventory of all services in the water system by January 1, 2025 and is working diligently to identify the materials for all of the City’s approximately 2,800 water services.  EGLE is requiring that public water supplies remove all LSLs in their systems by 2041.  The costs for these projects will be borne by the water users through potential water rate increases. 

As we begin the process of LSL replacement projects you will receive a letter a minimum of 45 days prior to your scheduled service replacement along with a consent agreement which much be signed to complete work on your property.  Should you refuse to have this work completed the City will be required, as part of the State’s Statute, to physically disconnect the water service from the water system rendering the house unoccupiable according to the International Property Maintenance Code (IMPC) Section 108.1.3 due to a lack of water to the property.  

EGLE encourages homeowners to have an independent home plumbing evaluations to identify potential sources of lead in your premise’s plumbing.  For more information please visit www.Michigan.gov/MILeadSafe for information on ways to reduce your possible exposure to lead.

STATE MANDATED DEADLINES:

WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MATERIAL INVENTORY (DSMI) – TO BE COMPLETED BY:  January 1, 2025 - A verified inventory of the public water systems water service material types.  This includes all residential, commercial and industrial properties.  The city estimates approximately 2,804 must be investigated, current percentage completed 3.5%

LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENTS – TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER 31, 2041 – Replacements consist of the entire water service from the water main to the water meter in the house or 18” into the home whichever is less distance.  The city estimates approximately 2804 are in our system.

Contains Lead or likely contains lead, will need to be replaced:             886 services

Unknown Material types:                                                                             1865 services

Contains neither Lead, Galvanized nor previously connected to Lead:   53                   

                                                                                    TOTAL SERVICES:       2,804

2020 Scheduled Replacements:                                                                    74

Total System Percentage Completed 2020:                                                8.4%

2020 LEAD LINE PROJECTS:

POTHOLING - Beginning in September, 2020 – A contractor will mobilize to begin hydro-excavation of the curb stop (shut-off) near the street.  This will allow the city to determine the water service material type.  This work will begin north and east of M-99 and consist of approximately 1,000 water services.

• This work will generally be completed within the designated Public Right-of-way (ROW) between the road and sidewalk (generally about 12’ off the edge of that roadway).
• The contractor will fill the excavated hole with pea stone and the city crews will finish final restorations with topsoil and seed.
• Should we find your service to include any lead or galvanized piping you, and any tenants, will receive a letter from the city notifying you of this within 30 days.  YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A LETTER IF YOUR SERVICE CONSISTS OF COPPER AND/OR PLASTIC.

LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT – Beginning in September, 2020 – A contractor will mobilize to complete replacements of approximately 65 lead line service at various location around town.  You will have received a letter from the city if you are part of this year’s program.  Work consists of the following and will require us to shut off the water for a period of time on the day of replacement.  As the replacement is required to extend into the home the contractor will need access to the home during the work.

• Replace the water service materials from the curb stop to the first valve or a maximum of 18” into the home at the City’s expense.
• All lawn areas disturbed by the service line replacement will be seeded and mulched as soon as practicable. Pavement areas that are disturbed will be replaced with similar pavement surfaces.  The Contractor will document the before condition of the property for the City’s record.
• Indoor water piping beyond the first valve or 18” into the home will not be replaced.
• Detailed flushing instructions will be given to the owner/resident once the service is replaced.
• The City will guarantee the replacement work for one year from the date of completion.
• The property owner will continue to be responsible for the water service being replaced by the City’s contractor, and shall continue to be the owner and responsible party for the water service beyond the curb stop and into the home after this replacement.