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City prepares to mail 600 letters as state mandates lead service inventory
Summary
City public works staff said a state-mandated lead service inventory has identified roughly 600 water services with unknown pipe material; the city plans a resident outreach campaign, offered volunteer door-knocking, and is weighing wording that clarifies homeowner responsibilities.
Speaker 2, identified in the transcript as Public Works staff, told the council the city "was mandated by the state to do a lead service inventory." A consultant reviewed plans and conducted field tests; staff reported they are "down to about 600 or so" services where the material between the main and the house is unknown and must be verified.
Why it matters: state rules require the inventory and verification of service-line materials because lead-bearing lines pose a health risk and can trigger remediation obligations. Speaker 2 said the municipality does not own many of the service lines — the property owner frequently does — so the city faces practical and legal limits in verifying materials without homeowner access.
What the city will do: staff will send approximately 600 letters asking homeowners to allow in-basement inspections to identify service-line material. Speaker 2 said some costs are covered by a grant initially but warned that "at some point, what's gonna happen is the grant's gonna run out, and it's gonna cost either the residents" if verification or replacement falls to homeowners.
Community response and outreach: Speaker 3 noted earlier mailings drew few responses and urged stronger letter language; Speaker 1 suggested wording that stresses the city's "good faith effort to help you" while clarifying resident responsibilities. Speaker 3 offered local volunteer help, saying, "I'm willing to volunteer in ward 1 to knock on doors after the letters go out and you don't get responses." Staff said they will consider volunteers and seasonality before in-person outreach.
Next steps: staff will finalize the letter wording, send the mailing, and pursue grant funding to offset inspection and excavation costs. The city will report back to the council with any timeline changes or cost-shift implications.
Sources: statements by Speaker 2 (Public Works staff) and comments by Speaker 3 and Speaker 1 during the meeting.
