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Williston commission mandates residential water meter replacements to meet EPA rule
Summary
The Board of City Commissioners approved a mandate to replace aging residential water meters to comply with EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and to ensure accurate billing, authorizing outreach and a stepped enforcement timeline including possible service disconnection for noncompliance.
The Williston Board of City Commissioners on July 23 approved a mandate requiring replacement of aged residential water meters to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and to improve billing accuracy. The motion passed unanimously (5–0) after Finance Director Hercules Cummings outlined outreach and enforcement steps.
The commission approved a staged action plan: send a fifth notification letter, post scheduling information at residences Aug. 13–23, hang disconnect notices Sept. 9, schedule contractor replacements Sept. 11–Oct. 2, and temporarily disconnect service for accounts that remain noncompliant after Oct. 2 until the customer schedules replacement. "[Meters] are being replaced because they are aged out, parts are harder to get and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements to remove all lead pipe by October 2024 to prevent drinking water contamination," Finance Director Hercules Cummings said.
City staff discussed enforcement costs and liabilities. Water Department staffer Tom Ator clarified billing for enforcement notices and reconnection: "the hangtag is $25 but if the water gets shut off it is $100 to get it turned back on, so they could pay $125," while City Attorney Taylor Olson said the city consulted the Ohnstad Twichell law firm and may shut off water under state law and place liens to recover unpaid assessments. Public Works Director Kenny Bergstrom flagged past incidents where turning water back on exposed leaks and required insurance involvement.
Commissioner Tate Cymbaluk moved to adopt the mandate; Commissioner James Bervig seconded. Commissioners Victoria Siemieniewski and Mayor Howard Klug participated in discussion about equitable charges and potential adjustment of fees. The motion directed Finance to identify specific numbers and finalize an action plan for handling homeowner defaults.
Next steps: the city will finalize notice language and the schedule before the Aug. 13 mailing window; meter replacement work by vendor Raines Meter Menders (Raines) is planned for Sept. 11–Oct. 2. Residents who refuse or fail to schedule replacements after posted notices face temporary service disconnection and assessment per the commission’s direction.
