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Decatur council approves $4.43 million project to replace galvanized and lead service lines; staff pledges door‑to‑door outreach
Summary
The council voted unanimously to accept a contract to replace galvanized water service lines that may contain lead. Staff said the project is about $4,430,000 with a $2,000,000 state grant and the remainder a 0% loan; the city will contact affected properties directly and covers service‑line replacement to the meter, while in‑home plumbing remains the homeowner's responsibility.
Decatur’s City Council on April 30 approved a contract with Burdick Plumbing & Heating Company to replace galvanized and potentially lead‑contaminated water service lines under city project 2025‑20.
The public works director, Matt Newell, told the council the project “is to replace galvanized service lines that may be contaminated with lead” and described the work as replacing the service from the water main to the house’s meter. Newell said the total project is “4,430,000 dollars and 2,000,000 of that is totally a grant from the state to the city and the remainder of that is a 0% loan.”
Council members pressed staff on the scope and equity of the effort. One council member said the city has “approximately 30,098 water service lines and of those water service lines, 6,670 may need to be replaced,” and asked whether the work replaces a gooseneck or the entire line. Newell replied the entire line from main to meter will be replaced and that the project removes the lead gooseneck and replaces the line all the way to the water meter.
On homeowner costs, officials gave two related explanations: Newell said the services replaced by this project—from the main to the meter—will be covered “100% paid for by the city and the EPA,” while the city also noted it has historically offered to pay 50% of replacement costs (and that typical replacements have run about $6,000–$7,000). Council members raised affordability concerns for elderly residents and tenants without internet access.
To address outreach, Newell said the city will not rely solely on its website: “We will be contacting every home directly … door to door or by phone or by mail,” and that property owners will be given opportunity to schedule inspections and grant access to contractors. He added that interior plumbing within homes remains the homeowner’s responsibility.
Council members asked about immediate protections for families identified by the county health department; one council member referenced a February award of $1,000,000 for lead hazard reduction and asked how to prioritize families with children under 6. Staff acknowledged the question and said they would follow up on short‑term options while the multi‑year replacement program proceeds.
The measure carried unanimously (6 ayes, no nays). The council and staff emphasized the program is phased over years as required by state and federal timelines and that the city will continue to report scheduling, funding sources and outreach methods to residents.
What’s next: Staff will publish neighborhood schedules, follow up with door‑to‑door notifications and provide additional detail on how in‑home plumbing issues and rental properties will be handled.
