Columbus Water and Power outlines Lead Safe Columbus replacements in Linden; work is free to homeowners, funded through water rates

Columbus Water and Power staff told Linden residents at a community meeting that nine water infrastructure projects in and around Linden will replace remaining lead and galvanized service lines as part of the city's Lead Safe Columbus program. Staff said replacements are provided at no direct charge to property owners and will be paid through the utility's existing water rates.

The work matters because replacing service lines reduces the long-term risk of lead exposure and is required under federal lead service line regulations, officials said. Staff outlined the construction process, timelines, homeowner protections, and post-replacement steps such as flushing and temporary water filters.

Emily Eskridge, regulatory compliance manager for the Division of Water at Columbus Water and Power, told residents, "The good news is is that we don't have detectable lead in our water." She said the city has an effective corrosion-control program and partners with Columbus Public Health on sampling when households show elevated blood lead levels. Eskridge described the Lead Safe Columbus initiative as a multi-year effort to remove both lead and galvanized service lines, the latter treated as a risk because galvanized steel can accumulate lead particles: "Lead Safe Columbus is a program that we've put in place in order to to replace all lead and galvanized service lines."

Tim Huffman, chief engineer for the Division of Water (distribution), said the nine projects in the meeting area are…