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Utilities report: 48 lead service lines identified, federal loans available to assist replacements
Summary
Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Utilities told commissioners it has identified 48 lead service lines, roughly 642 galvanized lines listed as needing replacement, and about 3,000 service lines with unknown materials; staff said it has secured two $2 million principal‑forgiveness loans to fund exploratory potholing and replacements where needed under EPA lead‑and‑copper rule changes.
Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Utilities staff told Forsyth County commissioners that, following changes to the federal lead‑and‑copper rule, the utility completed an initial service‑line inventory and identified confirmed and potential sources of lead in the distribution system.
Courtney Driver said the inventory shows 48 lead service lines, 642 galvanized service lines that staff reported as requiring replacement in the presentation, and about 3,000 service lines of unknown material that require exploratory work. She described the EPA’s emphasis on eliminating potential sources of lead in public and private service lines within a 10‑year window beginning in 2027 and said federal funding is available to help utilities comply.
"To date, we've been awarded two $2,000,000 loans with 100% principal forgiveness," Driver said, adding the money will fund exploratory potholing and verification work on private property and replacement where needed. She emphasized that private‑property work requires homeowner access and coordination.
Commissioners heard that the loans will be used first for verification of materials and then to replace service lines if confirmed lead is present; staff did not provide a schedule for individual replacements but noted the federal timeline beginning in 2027 will guide priorities.
At the briefing staff framed these efforts as preliminary, with additional investigative work required to finalize counts and replacement scheduling. The county and utilities will return with more detailed plans as exploratory work and funding drawdowns proceed.
