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Fremont council approves program to replace private lead service lines using state SRF funds
Summary
The council approved terms for an $8 million state funding package (about $5.6M forgivable, $2.4M 0% loan) to replace private lead service lines; staff estimates replacing roughly 600–800 lines at about $12,000–$15,000 each and will require homeowner agreements to allow work on private property.
The Fremont City Council voted unanimously to authorize terms for a drinking water State Revolving Fund program that will fund removal of private lead service lines in the city's system.
"The mandate is on the system, not on the homeowner," Troy Shaven, assistant utility general manager, told the council. Shaven said the city obtained an $8 million package from the state, of which about $5.6 million is forgivable and the remaining $2.4 million would be a 0% loan amortized over 40 years.
Shaven said Fremont has about 14,000 water services and roughly 746 services are either known lead, galvanized (considered lead under the rule), or unknown and therefore must be investigated. Staff estimates the program will ultimately replace about 600–800 private service lines at an average replacement cost of $12,000–$15,000 per service, which aligns with the $8 million funding request.
Under the planned program, the city will pay 100% of the cost to replace the service between the main and the meter. Homeowners will need to sign agreements allowing contractors to access private property; inside plumbing is not covered by the program and remains the homeowner's responsibility. Council members asked whether additional grant sources might help homeowners who need to replace internal plumbing; staff said they would research other funding options.
Shaven said the city's intent is to start work this year and proceed by competitive bid; the council approved the resolution authorizing program terms by an 8–0 vote.
The program is Fremont's response to the 2024 federal lead-and-copper requirements for public water systems that obligate utilities to remove lead service lines. Staff told council members that some peer cities choose to have property owners contribute, but Fremont plans to cover the full cost to keep the program equitable and avoid patchwork participation.
