Fargo water utility outlines lead service-line replacement plan, secured SRF loan with grant forgiveness

FARGO — City water-utility staff updated the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee on Fargo’s lead service-line replacement program, explaining funding, scheduling and homeowner protections as the federal Lead and Copper Rule revisions take effect.

Troy Hall, Water Utility Director, introduced a presentation from Regulatory Manager Matt Christiansen and Compliance Coordinator Maggie Saar describing the program’s scope and next steps. The utility estimated it has "just a little bit over 2,000" lead service lines and said most are in older, historic parts of Fargo. Staff said the inventory was compiled from historical meter/tap records and recent field inspections.

Staff described a funding package the city has secured: a drinking water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $35 million with 66% grant forgiveness; the city commission recently passed a resolution to cover the remaining 34% local cost share, subject to a condition tied to required follow-up sampling. Matt Christiansen explained the post-replacement requirement: the program will bill a property owner a $1,000 fee but not collect it; after required testing 3–6 months following replacement the fee will be waived to comply with funding conditions.

Presenters reviewed the technical and public-health rationale for replacement. Maggie Saar summarized why removal matters: "Removing the risk from our exposure to lead is a priority because there really is no threshold, level for which there may or may not be an adverse health risk from lead." She and other staff explained that corrosion control — pH management, alkalinity, orthophosphate dosing, and maintaining disinfectant residuals — reduces lead release but does not eliminate the need to replace lead plumbing.

The utility described practical details for homeowners and nonresidential properties: full, not partial, service-line replacements are required to qualify for grant-funded work; both residential and commercial properties are eligible. Staff said typical homeowner replacement costs range from about $8,000 to $12,000, and the city plans trenchless installations where feasible to limit yard disruption. Following a replacement, homeowners will receive flushing instructions and a pitcher filter certified to remove lead for six months; the utility will collect follow-up drinking-water samples three to six months after replacement per EPA requirements.

Officials also noted Fargo is a finalist for an EPA environmental and climate-justice grant that could provide up to $350,000 targeted to an EPA-defined disadvantaged neighborhood (staff said the city plans to focus on the Jefferson/Carlton area). The utility aims to sequence replacements by block in approved neighborhoods and coordinate with planned paving or water-main projects; staff said they will submit environmental and historical reviews as required under the SRF program before expanding to additional blocks.

Committee members asked about scope beyond single-family homes; staff confirmed commercial, institutional and multi-family properties with lead service lines are eligible for replacement and that the city is working on appropriate solutions for pitcher-filter provisions in nonresidential settings.

The committee did not take formal action on the replacement plan; water staff requested continued public outreach and agreed to return with updates as block-level plans are finalized.

There was no specific completion date finalized in the committee presentation; staff said they plan phased work and will follow SRF review schedules before broad rollout.