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 part of a larger capital program. "Just to give you an idea, between the construction, and the construction management of those projects, we're spending about $50,000,000 on those 9 projects," Huffman said, and staff estimated the utility currently identifies roughly 60,000 service lines that will need replacement as the program continues.

Staff described how replacements will happen. Most projects build a new water main in the street; contractors then replace the service line from the main to the curb stop and (if applicable) from the curb stop to the home. Contractors will need access to the water meter inside the home; owners should provide a roughly 3-foot-by-3-foot clear area around the meter and have an adult 18 or older present when crews perform a private-side replacement. Staff said the city side runs from the main to the curb stop and the private side runs from the curb stop to the house, and that homeowners own the private side today.

Officials repeatedly told residents the replacements are free to the individual property and are not a separate tax assessment. In response to a question about whether the city would recoup the cost when a property is sold, a staff member said, "It is not a tax assessment and it will not be a bill directly on your home. However, all of our work, capital improvement work, everything is funded through water rates." Staff later clarified that water rates are set annually by City Council and that rate changes can occur year to year, but individual property owners will not be billed separately for these replacements.

Residents asked about service interruptions and water quality after work. Staff said crews will schedule a temporary water shutoff for the work and that residents should expect 6 to 8 hours as a safe estimate (staff noted many replacements take closer to 2 to 4 hours). Tim Huffman described the flushing process the contractor will perform after connection: "Flushing basically means we start in the basement, we open the lowest valve ... we're gonna run the water for about 15 to 30 minutes and that it's gonna create high velocity in your service line," which removes particulates from the plumbing. Staff also said residents will receive a kit after replacement that includes a pitcher filter for precautionary use for about three to six months and instructions for post-replacement flushing.

Staff warned that street and yard restoration can be weather-dependent. Concrete or grass replacement may be delayed until conditions allow proper restoration; staff said temporary patches will be left where necessary and full restoration scheduled later. Contractors are expected to plate excavations and preserve access to homes; residents were asked to call staff if they see unplated holes or other safety problems.

On several items residents raised concerns about prior projects and damages. Officials said the current program aims to reduce those risks by replacing old lines with new copper lines and by using certified contractors and inspection. For service interruptions, potential property damage, or other problems during construction, staff said the packet residents receive will include contact information and that the utility will work with property owners and contractors to address problems and restore properties.

Staff said the program prioritizes historically underserved communities and attempts to coordinate with other city construction to minimize repeated digs. Residents who want to know their property's recorded service line material were told to use the online inventory (columbus.gov/slinventory) or to speak with the staff in the room; staff said they will verify uncertain entries by potholing at the curb stop before work begins. Work agreements authorizing the city or its contractors to perform private-side replacements are being offered at no cost in the meeting and can be signed by property owners.

For more information, staff directed residents to speak with employees wearing blue Lead Safe Columbus shirts after the meeting, to scan the QR code on posted materials, or to visit columbus.gov/slinventory. Columbus Public Health and the Columbus Department of Development were present at the meeting to discuss health-related questions and housing assistance, respectively.

Votes at a glance: No formal votes or council actions were recorded at the meeting. The session was an informational community meeting and a question-and-answer session with Columbus Water and Power staff.