Public works director outlines smoke testing, sewer repairs and lead-service-line notifications

A new public works director, addressed in the meeting as Josh, told commissioners crews have been working extended hours to repair water-line breaks and lift-station problems and that staff will undertake smoke testing in the collection system to locate inflow and infiltration points.

"This round will more than likely focus on basin 7, which is basically the southwest section of our city containing about 69,000 linear feet of sewer line," Josh said. He said homeowners in affected areas would receive 48-hour bilingual door-hanger notifications before smoke testing begins, and that crews would use the results to prioritize repairs.

Josh also outlined the city’s response to revised federal lead-and-copper rules. He said properties built before about 1989 received notices because older service lines may contain lead. "I would figure that it would be a fair... No, it's about 1,400, give or take 100. I'm pretty sure it's 1427 or 37," he said, describing the approximate count of addresses that may require inspection. He said the city must verify service-line materials by excavation or inspection, report the findings to the state EPA, and that the work will likely be phased over years and may require contractor support; the speaker cited a compliance horizon stretching to 2037.

The commission asked whether residents could test tap water; Josh said the city does not offer residential lead testing but that the state lists certified labs and may help. He said some grant programs are being discussed but that assistance for individual households had not been established.

Commissioners did not vote on any action related to the smoke testing or lead-service-line program during the meeting; staff described next steps and timelines for notifications and contractor procurement.