Watertown wins $750,000 for lead-service-line work; DPW describes 10-year compliance program

The Watertown Town Council heard a staff update on several recent grant awards, including a $750,000 State Bond Commission allocation for lead service-line compliance that staff said is intended to seed a multi-year replacement program.

Joe (council/staff speaker) told the meeting the town has secured multiple revenue streams this legislative session, including $1.4 million in education cost-sharing (ECS) funds and a verbal $1 million STEAP request, and that the $750,000 bond allocation will help mitigate future rate increases for water customers.

Jerry Lukasky, director of public works, described the lead and copper compliance program the EPA and state Department of Public Health require over about 10 years. He said the town must inventory and sample roughly 10% of service connections initially, using vacuum excavation and a testing device described in the meeting as a ‘‘lead gun’’ to identify lead on either side of the service connection; identified lead lines would be noted and scheduled for later replacement under the multi-year plan.

Lukasky said the $750,000 is starter funding that also positions Watertown to seek support from the state revolving drinking water fund, which could provide loans and possibly cover up to 50% of documented needs depending on community need and program rules.

Council members framed the award as a way to reduce direct ratepayer burden for necessary drinking-water infrastructure work and said staff will return with implementation timelines and funding details as projects are developed.