Council authorizes lead service-line planning and explains new cross-connection inspections
Loading...
Summary
Council authorized a $26,000 project-plan contract (Fishbeck) to pursue state SRF funding for replacing an estimated 125 lead service lines (~$1.1M), and the DPW outlined a state-required Hydrocorp residential cross-connection inspection program to run over five years.
City officials told the council on Feb. 2 they are taking two water-related compliance steps: preparing an SRF project plan for lead service-line replacement work and launching a residential cross-connection inspection program.
DPS Director Kevin Sargent said the Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (FY 2027) has $334 million available; typical SRF awards can include principal forgiveness (about 50%) with the remainder as a low-interest loan. "The city of Trenton currently has about a 125 lead service lines with an estimated cost of replacement around 1,100,000.0," Sargent said. Council authorized Fishbeck to prepare the project plan at a cost of $26,000, to be paid from the water fund contractual services account.
Later in the meeting Sargent explained the new residential cross-connection control program required by the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, Part 14, and said the city contracted Hydrocorp to perform inspections over five years. Hydrocorp will send letters in batches (about 100 at a time) with a goal of ~1,200 inspections per year; the inspection visit portion will not cost homeowners, but homeowners will be responsible for testing fees if testable backflow devices are identified (typical range $50–$75). Sargent said inspectors will carry both City of Trenton and Hydrocorp identification.
Council members asked clarifying questions about inspection tags (Sargent said the tag is valid for 10 years) and logistics; the project-plan authorization and the cross-connection program were described as compliance steps rather than policy changes requiring additional council approvals.
