Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lead Service Line Replacement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saginaw staff outline plan and timeline for replacing lead and galvanized service lines
Summary
City staff described a multi‑year state‑mandated lead/copper inventory and a program to replace service lines; public works said about 6,300 active replacements remain and contractors and crews are already working on projects.
City public‑works staff told the council the state’s lead and copper rules prompted a citywide inventory and a multi‑year program to replace lead and galvanized water service lines connecting homes to the main.
Phil Carwatt, public services staff, summarized the city’s work and the technical reasons for the material choice used in recent replacements: "The state changed the lead copper rule 4 or 5 years ago, with the situation that happened in Flint. They mandated that any cities that have lead and or pipe, once connected to lead, change" the service lines and complete a distribution system materials inventory. Carwatt said crews and contractors have already replaced roughly 3,700–4,000 lines and that about 6,300 active service lines remain to be changed out; he estimated another 8,000–10,000 abandoned connections also need attention.
Carwatt explained why the city used an AWWA‑approved plastic pipe (SDR‑9, the blue PVC) instead of copper for many new extensions: copper costs and availability during and after the COVID period made copper impractical and raised project costs by millions. He also said the older galvanized and corroded pipe reduces effective diameter and can cause pressure losses and lead particulates to be released, noting, "When we dig this up...this is galvanized pipe that we dig out. You can see the corrosion." That corrosion, he said, can trap particulates that contribute to contamination risk.
Staff described the quality‑control steps crews take after replacement: flushing lines before the meter, reconnecting the meter, and flushing household fixtures to clear particulates. Carwatt said crews measure pressure before and after work and provided a sample reading for an addressed complaint: "We put a pressure reading device on 1 of the outdoor spigots, and we got 53 pounds per square inch of pressure." He added that the city must provide a minimum of 35 psi at houses and that the program should improve service reliability over time.
City Manager Tim Morales and Carwatt said the city is pursuing state funding including principal‑forgiveness DWSRF awards and grants; council was told a recent award of about $5 million supported prior contracted replacements and staff said the city had another $2.3 million award pending for additional contracted work. Carwatt estimated a roughly 8‑ to 15‑year completion timeline depending on funding and capacity, but said the city has completed inventory work faster than originally scheduled.
Council members raised individual resident complaints about pressure changes after replacements. Carwatt encouraged affected residents to call the city's public‑works line (989‑759‑1612) for on‑site checks; staff said they will help homeowners and, if needed, refer plumbing issues to licensed plumbers.
No ordinance or new budget appropriation was approved at the meeting; staff said they will continue pursuing state funding and contractor schedules and will return to council with recommendations as projects progress.
