Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Sewer topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Utilities director: lead service-line inventory shows one flagged line verified as copper; council debates commercial water/sewer rates
Summary
The public utilities director told the council one flagged lead service line was verified as copper and no replacements are currently required; the council spent substantial time discussing commercial water/sewer rates, minimums and the possibility of additional metering.
The Public Utilities director told the Hoyt Lakes City Council on Nov. 12 that the state and federal lead service-line inventory process flagged one lead service line in town, but staff verified that line as copper and said no service-line replacements are required at this time.
“That was mandated by the state and the federal government ... at this time they have detected one L service line in town I went there and verified that myself it is copper so we have no service lines in town that need to be replaced currently,” the Public Utilities director said. The director said many service lines remain listed as “unknown” because inspectors have not verified them and emphasized limits on forcing inspections inside private homes; the director suggested residents could provide photos or allow inspections when properties change hands.
Councilmembers and staff then spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing water and sewer rate structure for commercial customers. Council members asked whether small businesses that use little water (service stations, small shops) should pay the same quarterly minimums charged to larger commercial accounts. Becky, the city administrator, and Jake (staff/engineer) described current billing practice and minimum thresholds: the city typically applies a per‑thousand‑gallon charge above a quarterly minimum and noted sewer billing often assumes higher commercial usage.
“Is there any way we can make an adjustment on these for places that don't have that much water usage?” one council member asked; staff responded they will review usage records and bring numbers back to council. Council directed staff to prepare data on commercial usage, minimum thresholds and the feasibility of wider metering so members can consider adjustments at a future meeting.
The discussion also touched on wastewater treatment issues from a nearby facility’s discharge and past mercury-related compliance work at the city plant; staff said they will continue occasional testing and monitor discharges under existing agreements.
