Lead Safe Columbus: private-side replacements free when tied to city construction; sign work agreement

Anderson Bridal, representing Columbus Water & Power's Lead Safe Columbus team, explained the city's water-service line replacement program and eligibility criteria. "Columbus Water meets all of the drinking water requirements and ... these water line replacements are happening because of a federal requirement to upgrade old infrastructure," Bridal said. He told residents replacements target lead and galvanized material and that, when the work occurs as part of city construction, the replacement of private-side galvanized lines is provided at no out-of-pocket cost.

Bridal emphasized that the private side of the service line remains subject to property-owner permission and that crews need access to water meters and basements to complete the private-side connection. Residents were directed to sign a work agreement (columbus.gov/newline) so the construction team can schedule replacements and to use columbus.gov/ledwork and columbus.gov/leadsurvey to check project-area eligibility and survey existing line material.