Water board approves continuation of lead service‑line replacement program; staff says project ahead of schedule

The Englewood City Water and Sewer Board voted to continue funding and contract authorization for the city’s lead and galvanized service‑line replacement program, a multiyear effort officials said is proceeding faster than expected.

Peter, director of South Platte Renew and the water utility, told the board the program began in March 2023 and has since verified service lines across the city and replaced more than 1,000 lines. He said the city secured both Drinking Water Revolving Fund loan funds and bipartisan infrastructure law funding, including $10 million in principal forgiveness; the program is largely financed through a $40 million drinking‑water revolving fund loan.

Peter said Hazen Sawyer serves as program manager and that Hazen staff on site include Steve Price and Jasmine Gamboa. He described the program’s technical approach: crews physically pothole connections at the distribution main to verify whether lead remains under the street, not just at the curb stop or meter. That verification work has identified residual lead segments that would have been missed by house‑side checks; staff said roughly 10% of verified lines were residual segments discovered in the street.

Program staff reported installation of 91 live insertion valves to improve operational control during construction and faster program execution to stay ahead of mill‑and‑overlay and slurry‑seal street work. Peter told the board the program expects to replace roughly 3,000 lead and galvanized service lines and anticipates being substantially complete in December 2026 if current schedules hold.

The board approved the requested contract authority: the construction contract proposed for the coming term is $12,720,000 with a staff‑managed contingency of 10% (roughly $1.27 million), for a total contract authorization request of $13,992,000 and a total program authorization of $34,000,000. Peter said total program funding currently stands at $40,000,000 and staff expect the program to remain within that envelope.

Board members asked about program verification, customer outreach, and testing. Hazen’s Jasmine Gamboa told the board that fewer than 10 residents have picked up test kits and returned results so far and that all returned tests were non‑detect for lead. Gamboa said the program pays test shipping and the credited amount shows on residents’ water bills; staff said they would confirm which program budget line covers the kit costs.

One board member asked about copper price escalation and whether the contractor had negotiated pricing. Peter said the contractor requested a limited escalation tied to material (notably copper) and that the contractor mitigated exposure by bulk purchasing to lock in pricing. Board members also asked whether Hazen or a third party had validated unit pricing; Peter confirmed both the city engineer and the owner’s adviser had reviewed costs.

The board approved the contract renewal and continued program authorization by voice vote. Chair Moore asked “All in favor, please say aye,” and the motion carried. Staff told the board they would return with additional authorizations if other distribution‑system work is identified.