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Clarkdale council adopts code change to allow lead‑service‑line inventory access
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 446 to amend town code permitting staff property access and investigatory work needed to complete the EPA-required lead and copper service-line inventory; staff said 867 service connections remain 'unknown' and the inventory/replacement-plan deadline is November 2027.
The Clarkdale Town Council unanimously approved Ordinance 446 on Dec. 9, 2025, amending Town Code Chapter 19, Section 7-2 to facilitate staff access for the lead and copper rule required inventory and potential replacement planning.
Town staff explained the amendment responds to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule, which requires a complete inventory of service‑line materials and a replacement plan. Staff said some customer service connections are behind fences or on private property and that the ordinance will permit staff to perform preliminary investigations — including potholing near meter boxes and documenting material types — without needing separate temporary construction permissions.
According to staff, 867 service connections in the town’s system currently have an unknown service‑line material status. The U.S. EPA deadline for converting unknowns to documented records and submitting a replacement plan was cited as November 2027. “We have identified 867 homes in our inventory that are unidentified whether they have lead lines or not,” staff said during their presentation.
At the meeting, Council member Jones moved to adopt the ordinance; Council member O'Neal seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. The ordinance authorizes the town attorney, mayor and town clerk to execute documents necessary to implement the code change.
Council members asked about customer outreach after residents received mailings identifying unknown status; staff acknowledged repeated notifications and said residents may still come to the office with questions. Staff also said the precise financial responsibility and timing for full replacement of any lead service lines is determined at higher (EPA/state) policy levels and is not yet finalized locally.
The ordinance authorizes staff to gather the inventory information and to prepare any replacement plan required by the EPA timetable. No replacement‑cost funding decision was made at the meeting.
