City officials in Decatur, Indiana, are joining the nationwide push to improve drinking water resources and removing dangerous lead service lines from city systems. The city and the Board of Works and Safety are determining final details for a $21 million water line replacement project in city.
The project encompasses 14 project areas within 25 miles of main lines, including replacing 323 lead service lines and several stretches of main lines. Project officials anticipate construction to begin in summer.
The city joins every other municipality in the country clamoring to adhere to EPA mandates to remove all lead water lines and galvanized pipe and connectors downstream from lead lines. Lead is a known contaminant that is particularly harmful to infants and small children. While Decatur phased out lead lines decades ago, city leaders say main lines generally have a life of about 50 years, but many of Decatur’s are between 50 and 100 years old.
The city originally planned to dedicate $12.5 million to a lead removal project before realizing that the SRF had grants available if the city shared $18 million. With the grant, the city receives $5.5 million, plus a 35-year interest free loan of $2.5 million and a $10 million 2.898% loan and another $3 million low interest loan. Decatur was one of 14 cities out of the more than 100 that applied to receive the grants.
In a recent public hearing, officials said that spending money to modernize water lines is a common problem across the country, but bringing safe water to their community is necessary.
Council members say the incoming bids are promising as far as holding down costs, and they will likely have a vote confirming a rate increase ordinance in June.
Photo by Sergei Starostin from Pexels
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