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Payson authorizes application for WIFA assistance to comply with EPA Lead and Copper Rule revisions
Summary
Council approved up to $500,000 in debt authorization to apply to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) for a forgivable principal loan to inventory service-line materials required by the EPA27s Lead and Copper Rule revisions; vote 7–0.
The Town of Payson authorized up to $500,000 in debt authorization on May 28 to apply for financial assistance from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) in anticipation of a forgivable-principal loan tied to compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency27s 2021 Lead and Copper Rule revisions.
Council heard from Gordon Dimbapp (presented by Tanner Henry) and town water staff explaining that the EPA revisions require community water systems to create a materials inventory for service lines, including identifying materials beyond the water meter and confirming whether private-side piping contains lead. Town staff said Payson has roughly 9,000 service connections and that about 1,330 service-line materials remain unknown and must be documented by November 1, 2027.
Water staff explained that the only reliable way to determine some service-line materials is physical verification on private property: "the only way to prove what it is or what it is not is to go on to the properties, dig it up, look at it, take a picture, and then document it," a staff speaker told council. The town27s existing meter-replacement contractor provides a cooperative option for field verification at roughly $270 per service, and WIFA27s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund includes a forgivable component (an initial $250,000 plus 70% of costs above that amount) that would substantially reduce town cost if approved.
The council voted 7–0 to authorize application for up to $500,000 in WIFA assistance and empowered the town manager to execute required application documents. Staff said they will return with contracts and a project plan if WIFA funding is awarded. The council also noted a pending lawsuit challenging EPA27s interpretation of responsibility beyond the meter; staff said the town is awaiting the lawsuit's outcome but intends to prepare in case the requirement stands.
No immediate contract was executed during the meeting; the motion authorized application only.
