Dubuque awards $1.97 million contract to replace 196 lead service lines in pilot program

The Dubuque City Council on May 5 awarded a $1,973,660 construction contract to JQ Construction LLC for phase 1 of the city's private lead service line replacement pilot program, approving the contract by roll call 7-0.

Christopher Lester, water department director, told the council the phase includes replacement of 196 lead service lines identified across the city's service area. Work types will vary by address and include full replacements (from public main to interior plumbing) and partial replacements (portion between main and interior plumbing). Lester said work will occur in the public right-of-way and on private property only with property-owner authorization.

Lester reported that the low bid from JQ Construction was 13.91% higher than the engineer's estimate of $1,732,600. He attributed the excess to limited prior experience in Iowa with bulk lead-line replacement projects and uncertainty about market pricing for this type of program. "We don't have a, probably a real good grasp on, why it was somewhat, why the low bid was still significantly higher than the engineer's estimate," Lester said, later adding that municipalities across Iowa were seeking similar work and pricing was uncertain.

Councilmembers asked about schedule and contract conditions. Lester said the city is "requiring that this phase 1 is done by December of this year." He said phases 2 and 3 will follow with planned completion by December 2026 and that engineering for subsequent phases is underway.

The contract award was made after members discussed the public-health implications and the broader cost the city may face if it scales up replacements. Motion to receive, file and adopt the resolution awarding the contract passed by roll call: Sprank, Jones, Roussell, Farber, Wethal, Cavanaugh and Resnick voted aye; motion passed 7-0.