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Fremont approves plan to replace private lead service lines using state SRF funds
Summary
City officials approved terms for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program that uses an $8 million state award (about $5.6M forgivable) to replace private service lines the city deems lead or unknown; staff estimates replacing roughly 600–800 lines at about $12,000–$15,000 each and will require homeowner access agreements.
The Fremont City Council approved terms for a program to replace private lead service lines after a staff presentation that spelled out funding, scope and next steps.
Assistant Utility General Manager Tro Shaven told council the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s lead and copper rule requires systems to remove lead service lines on the system side; the city has applied for and been awarded approximately $8 million through the state drinking water SRF program, of which about $5.6 million is expected to be forgivable and roughly $2.4 million would be a 0% loan over 40 years.
Shaven said the city will cover the cost of the private side replacements under the program rather than impose a cost share on homeowners. “The mandate is on the system, not on the homeowner,” he said, and adding homeowner contributions would create an irregular result where some properties would be upgraded and others would remain outstanding.
Staff reported there are roughly 14,000 services in the utility system and about 746 that are either known lead/galvanized or unknown; the working estimate is to replace between 600 and 800 service lines at an average cost of about $12,000–$15,000 per connection. Homeowners will be asked to sign agreements to give contractors access and to receive a warranty for the work.
Council voted 8–0 to approve Resolution 2026‑053 authorizing program terms and to direct staff to prepare implementation steps, which will include bidding the work this year and outreach to property owners.
Next steps: Staff said it will prepare homeowner access agreements, finalize bid documents and begin public outreach; councilors asked staff to research potential homeowner assistance or additional grants for in‑house plumbing if needed.
