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Lynchburg to consider $10 million VDH package to identify and replace lead service lines
Summary
City staff said Lynchburg has been offered just over $10 million by the Virginia Department of Health (a mix of loan and principal forgiveness) to inventory and replace lead and certain galvanized service lines; staff outlined the inventory status and next steps, and a public hearing is scheduled for March 11.
Lynchburg water staff on Feb. 25 briefed council on the city's lead service-line inventory and a funding offer from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for lead service-line replacement under the EPA lead-and-copper rule requirements.
Background and inventory: Assistant/Director Tim Mitchell (presenting) said the city maintains about 26,000 total service connections. At the time of the presentation staff had identified 70 confirmed lead service lines (67 on the city/public side and 3 on customer/private side), and 216 galvanized services that require replacement (all on the customer/private side). Staff said nearly 19,000 service materials remain "unknown" and require field investigation; the city has created a self-reporting survey for property owners that has so far produced useful information.
Funding offer and terms: Mitchell told council the Virginia Department of Health offered a package of a little over $10,000,000 composed of approximately $6.3 million in a low-interest loan from the Virginia Resources Authority and about $3.7 million in principal forgiveness (grant-like). The funds may be used to replace both public- and private-side service lines. Staff noted the city would not begin repaying loan principal until the funds are drawn and spent.
Regulatory schedule and next steps: The city must develop a replacement plan by 2027; unidentified service lines must be treated as lead for planning purposes. The presentation said the city will be required to sample at schools and day cares beginning in 2027. Staff told council the VDH requested an earlier response than the CIP process would have allowed, which is why the funding acceptance and appropriation items will be scheduled for a March 11 public hearing.
Ending: Staff said the confirmed lead and galvanized locations are mapped in the city GIS and that work will focus next on investigating unknowns, developing a prioritized replacement plan and using the offered VDH funding if council accepts it at the public hearing.
Note: Staff said if regulatory requirements change, the city would not be obligated to spend offered funds; repayment begins only after funds are drawn down.
