City official says century-old underground water lines will be replaced to reduce lead risk

An unnamed city official said the city is replacing century-old underground water lines with new piping intended to reduce possible lead contamination and improve water quality for residents and children.

The official said the project will replace old lead lines and “improve the quality of water, not only for our citizens, but for the children” in the community. The official added that completing work in current areas is a goal “by winter.”

Why it matters: The official framed the work as a public-health and infrastructure update, saying replacement of the oldest underground lines will reduce the chance of lead entering drinking water and will be beneficial for children in the community. The official described the existing lines as “a hundred years or better.”

Details and timeline: The official did not provide a detailed construction schedule, specific streets affected, contract or funding sources beyond saying it is a water-department priority. The official said the city’s water infrastructure repairs in some areas are expected to be finished by winter but did not specify exact dates or phases.

Context and next steps: The remarks were delivered as an update rather than a formal vote or ordinance; no specific contractor, procurement action or grant source for the pipe-replacement work was named during the remarks. The official described the project as ongoing and urged patience because “everything is a process” and requires written approvals.

The official said citizens are aware of dust and short-term disruption caused by work, and framed the replacements as a long-term improvement for public health and service reliability.