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Pella staff report ~252 known lead service lines; DNR inventory filed and EPA rulemaking could require costly replacements
Summary
City staff reported roughly 252 known lead service lines, about 10 galvanized and ~289 unknown (≈550 total, ~15% of system); DNR inventory due Oct. 16 was filed and staff warned EPA rulemaking could require phased replacement (possible 10-year timeline) at an estimated $3,000–$12,000 per service line.
City staff told the Pella City Council that an inventory submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources identified roughly 252 known lead water service lines, about 10 galvanized services and roughly 289 services the city could not yet confirm — about 550 service lines in total, or roughly 15% of the utility's services.
"We had roughly 252 known lead water services. We had roughly 10 galvanized services in our inventory, and we had roughly 289 services that are unknown at this time," staff said during the presentation.
Staff explained the DNR inventory requirement (due Oct. 16) and said the Environmental Protection Agency is considering rules that could require communities to replace lead and galvanized service lines over either a 10-year or 30-year period. Replacement costs, staff said, vary widely depending on site conditions and range from about $3,000 to $12,000 per service line.
Water-utility staff noted that many unknown lines are buried under downtown concrete and that confirming material sometimes requires intrusive excavation. They said most likely concentrations of lead lines are downtown and in the Fort Rock area, and recommended the council begin discussing policies and funding approaches to prepare for possible federal mandates.
Council members asked technical and consumer-protection questions. Staff explained sample-collection guidance and advised residents about first-draw versus flushed samples. A council member thanked staff for a clear letter to residents explaining testing procedures and options for having water tested.
Officials said they filed the inventory with the DNR by the deadline and will return with policy options and cost estimates if the EPA finalizes a replacement mandate. Staff emphasized that city-owned mains do not contain lead — the inventory concerns private service lines that connect customers to the city main.
