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Fremont to replace private lead service lines using $8M state grant; homeowners not charged
Summary
Council approved terms for a state-funded program to replace private lead service lines citywide. The city received an $8 million package (about $5.6M forgivable, $2.4M 0% loan) and staff said the city will pay 100% of the private side replacements for roughly 600–800 services estimated at $12,000–$15,000 each.
The City of Fremont will move forward with a program to replace private lead service lines at no direct cost to homeowners after council approved the program terms.
Troy Shaven, assistant utility general manager, told the council that the city secured approximately $8,000,000 in state funding tied to the EPA’s updated lead-and-copper provisions: roughly $5.6 million of the package is expected to be forgivable and $2.4 million will be a 0 percent, 40-year loan. Shaven said the mandate falls on the water system, not the homeowner, and that the city intends to replace the full private service-line segment from the main to the meter. Staff estimate about 14,000 services in the system, with 746 currently known or unknown that require replacement or verification; they expect to replace roughly 600–800 lines citywide, with unit replacement costs estimated in the $12,000–$15,000 range.
“Like I said, we did get a $8,000,000 grant, 5.6 of which is forgivable,” Shaven said. He described the homeowner agreement process, warranty terms and the need to bid the work; the city will require homeowner permission to access private property. Council approved Resolution 2026-053 authorizing the terms for the drinking water state revolving fund program by unanimous vote.
Staff and council members discussed that the program replaces the service line at the property edge and does not cover interior plumbing within homes; council asked staff to research potential homeowner resources to address interior lead pipes. The utility will begin the contractor procurement and outreach work later this year and expects phased replacements tied to contractor capacity.
