Council tables pilot loan program for galvanized/lead service-line replacement

BEXLEY, Ohio — The City of Bexley on Feb. 25 heard a detailed staff presentation about federal changes to the Lead and Copper Rule and a proposed pilot loan program to help owner-occupants replace private galvanized service lines. Council then voted to table Ordinance 06-25 to allow more time for review.

Staff explained that in October 2024 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revised its definition of “lead service line” to include galvanized service lines that had previously been connected to lead. Under the new rule, communities must identify and report all such service lines and replace them on a federally defined schedule; staff noted an initial inventory and identification program is already under way.

Public works and administration staff told council that Bexley now estimates about 1,227 private galvanized service lines and roughly 1,800 city-owned galvanized lines; the city has already replaced about 2,600 city-owned lines through previous work. The ordinance before council would have created a pilot loan program targeted to owner-occupants to replace private galvanized service lines: maximum loan $4,000, up to 80% of the total replacement cost, with a 10-year payback and an interest rate benchmarked to the Ohio Water Development Authority rate set by the auditor. The city budgeted $200,000 in infrastructure funds in 2025 as a pilot allocation.

Council members and staff discussed program design and equity questions: whether to include rental properties, how to structure loan forgiveness or income-based assistance for low-income homeowners, whether a revolving loan model would be viable, and whether the city should require private-line replacement when replacing an adjacent city-owned main. Staff and the auditor noted that initial funding decisions were budgeted and that a pilot would help determine uptake, contractor selection and whether longer-term financing (bonds or OPWC loans) would be warranted.

Resident Constance Lewis asked whether sleeving (lining) could be used to avoid digging and whether the city could force replacement and then assess properties; staff said sleeving is generally not feasible for service-line diameters and that mandatory replacement rules would require separate ordinances.

After discussion, Council voted to table Ordinance 06-25. Staff said the ordinance will return for further work; when it does, council will be asked to consider program eligibility, whether rentals are included, and options for targeted subsidies or loan forgiveness.

Votes at a glance: Motion to table Ordinance 06-25 passed on roll call (affirmatives recorded: Hurley, Markham, Marcelino, Feibel, Silverman, Lampe).