Columbus previews lead service-line replacement plan for Grandview Heights, says drinking water currently below action levels

Emily Eskridge, the presenter for Columbus’ service-line replacement effort, told the Grandview Heights City Council on Feb. 9 that recent system compliance samples were “below 1.3 parts per billion” and that the system is “well under the action level of 15 parts per billion.” She said Columbus uses corrosion-control (zinc orthophosphate) and nearly never sees detectable lead in the distribution system.

Eskridge said a federal and state regulatory timeline requires all lead service lines to be replaced by 2037. Columbus submitted an initial inventory in October 2024 and expects a baseline inventory by the end of the next year; that inventory effort will cover Grandview Heights as part of Columbus’ contract service area.

She described the program’s structure: infrastructure maintenance and mains work; a street-by-street prioritization driven by a model that weighs health outcomes and socioeconomics; a focused program for schools and day cares; and private-side assistance options. Columbus will extend its street-by-street work into suburban partner areas later in the schedule and urged Grandview to plan for capital projects that will require replacing private-side lines when mains are touched.

On funding, Eskridge said costs will be incorporated into systemwide rates but noted Columbus tries to use principal-forgiveness through the water-supply revolving loan fund when available. She described three assistance pathways for private-side work: an insurance partnership with HomeServe ($5 per month), a Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP) that offers a 0% construction loan recorded as a mortgage up to 99 years, and low-income assistance programs. Columbus also provides a filter kit at the time of replacement and offers follow-up sampling between three and six months after work is completed.

Eskridge stressed practical steps for residents: flush stagnant water for two to three minutes if a line has sat, accept the filter kit after a replacement, and report private-side materials through Columbus’ publicly accessible inventory. She also introduced Tatiana Swain as the community liaison for coordination with partner communities and encouraged Grandview’s engineering staff to coordinate with Columbus on plans and data-sharing.

Council members pressed for details on funding, timing and inventory. Eskridge confirmed the city must replace lead or galvanized sections encountered during main projects and recommended Grandview consider funding private-side replacements for affected homes to smooth capital projects. She said Columbus aims to eliminate as many “unknown” service-line records as possible by the end of the year using enhanced metering, modeling and site checks.

The presentation closed with the administration offering to share Columbus web pages and printable materials for distribution to Grandview residents. Eskridge emphasized that, while the water in mains is lead-free under normal conditions, replacements and post-replacement precautions are required by the updated federal rule.