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Council approves $122,592 change order to fund 53 exterior lead-service-line inspections
Summary
The council approved a $122,592 change order to use remaining grant funds for 53 exterior inspections of suspected lead service lines; the city said the $476,000 grant funds the project and that replacement responsibilities cover the service line from the main to the meter, not interior plumbing.
The Norway City Council voted to approve change order number 1 for the city’s lead-service-line verification project, authorizing $122,592 to fund 53 exterior inspections by Smith Construction.
At the meeting, Dan, the city’s project speaker, said, “Our total grant amount is 476,000. … So, that change order is for a 122,592 for 53 lead, line inspections of Smith Construction.” He explained that Smith Construction will perform exterior work—drilling near the curb stop—to determine whether service lines are lead.
Council members pressed for clarity about when homeowners will be notified and what the city will and will not replace. Dan said inspections focus on the service line from the water main to the meter and that, under the new lead law, replacing the service line from the main up to the meter would become the city’s responsibility: “If it’s inspected on the outside and is lead, then you can pretty much guarantee it isn’t the inside. We have to replace it anyways.” He added that interior plumbing beyond the meter remains the homeowner’s responsibility.
Staff and council also discussed resident communications. The city said Hydro Corp is sending notices about other water requirements (backflow) and that the city will issue newsletter updates and letters to help residents understand what inspections cover and what actions are required.
The motion to approve the change order was made, seconded, and carried on recorded affirmative votes from council members.
The council requested that staff provide a public update at a future meeting explaining inspection procedures, timelines and resident responsibilities. The approved change order funds the next stage of the city’s externally contracted inspections; work and replacement timelines were not specified at the meeting.
