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Lincoln Park officials urge cooperation as lead service line replacements continue
Summary
City staff said contractors will enter homes to verify lead service lines at three points, residents must sign releases for grant compliance, and scheduling options are available; the program is progressing slower than planned.
City staff told the Lincoln Park City Council on March 24 that the city’s lead service line replacement program is continuing and that residents need to cooperate with contractor visits so the project can remain compliant with grant requirements.
The city’s presentation said two contractors—Rico and SOS Service Group—are performing work coordinated through Hennessy Engineering. Staff urged residents to answer knock notices from Hennessy crews, to ask for ID when someone arrives, and to call city hall for verification if they have doubts. City Hall staff provided a contact number for verification.
Staff said inspectors must verify three connection locations to determine whether a service involves lead: the section at the water meter inside the home, the section between the curb stop/box and the sidewalk, and the connection between the curb and the street. If any one of those locations contains lead, the service line must be replaced to meet the grant’s requirements. City staff emphasized that signatures and documentation are required to remain eligible for the grant that funds the replacements.
Contractors are working during extended hours and the city said crews may be on site past normal business hours (up to about 7 p.m.) to reach residents who are not home during the day. Staff said the initial rounds of letters included multiple mailings; residents may call the number on the Hennessy letter or city hall at 313-386-1800, extension 1230, to arrange alternate times or verify the contractor visit. City staff indicated current work concentrations include White and Chandler streets but said the program will expand to other areas as checks are completed.
Several council members asked for a list of homes known or suspected to have lead lines; staff responded that the city maintains a list of confirmed and questionable properties and can provide that information on request.
City staff said the replacement work is proceeding more slowly than contractors had hoped and that residents’ cooperation is needed to avoid project delays and to comply with the grant’s documentation requirements.
