Lead Service Lines were discussed at the Vandalia City Council meeting on Monday.
The issue of lead service lines and the requirement to attempt to identify all such lines has been a topic of conservation on and off for the Vandalia City Council for quite some time.
City Administrator LaTisha Paslay says the City of Vandalia was required to develop a complete lead service line inventory for Vandalia. Out of the total number of water customers, some can be eliminated because they do not have city water but instead have a well and some the city knows the lines as they have done water replacement or repair projects in the area and have observed the pipes. Beyond those, the City of Vandalia has been working with 120 Water to develop the list. It is a large list and requires more information that just the type of lines. And, mailers have been sent out that ask people to submit their information—but there has not been a large response up to this point.
During Monday’s meeting, Alderman Andy Lester asked City Attorney Ryan Connor if the city could face some liability with this issue.
Connor reiterated there is also some liability from operating a water system, but he doesn’t believe any is added with this issue.
The City of Vandalia did receive a $40,000 grant to work with 120 Water on developing the addresses and sending out the mailers. The City of Vandalia is applying for an additional $40,000 grant that would help with some other work to determine the lines. The federal government says the city is not required to dig, but in many cases that may be the only way to determine the type of lines.
A Copy of the mailer is attached below. The City of Vandalia would ask that you send in your information if you have not already.
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