Fremont will use state SRF award to replace private lead service lines at no direct cost to homeowners

The Fremont City Council approved a plan to use a roughly $8 million state drinking‑water award to replace private lead and galvanized service lines between mains and meters, with the city covering the work under the program and homeowners not charged for the replacements.

Assistant Utility Manager Tro Shaven explained that the U.S. EPA’s lead and copper rules require water systems to remove all lead service lines; the city applied for and received an $8 million State Revolving Fund award, about $5.6 million of which is forgivable with $2.4 million structured as a 0% loan. Shaven said the mandate applies to the utility’s system responsibility (the service between main and meter) and not to interior plumbing inside houses.

Shaven told the council there are roughly 14,000 service connections in Fremont; 746 are currently known lead, galvanized or unknown and will be prioritized. Staff estimates replacing the eligible lines will cost roughly $12,000–$15,000 per service and intends to bid the work this year, with homeowners signing agreements to allow contractors on private property and warranty terms included.

Asked whether homeowners can seek assistance for interior plumbing, staff said that interior lines are not covered by this program and that the city will research possible outside resources for homeowners who need additional work inside the building. Council members praised obtaining forgivable funding and approved Resolution 2026‑053 authorizing terms for replacement under the SRF program (motion carries 8–0).

Next steps: procurement for replacement contractors, homeowner outreach and agreements, prioritization of known lead/unknown services, and deployment expected to begin after contracts are awarded.