Lead Service Replacement Program
In 2018, the State of Michigan issued a lead and copper rule that placed new requirements on water supply and distribution systems. Two of the more significant changes were requirements to complete a distribution system material inventory (DSMI) and replace lead water services on a set schedule.
The City submitted a preliminary distribution system material inventory (pDSMI) in December of 2019 and a complete distribution system material inventory (cDSMI) in October of 2024 in compliance with the deadlines of the new rule. The City is continuing our inventory efforts by conducting point-of-entry (POE) inspections to determine service material type where it enters the foundation or structure (point 1 in the inventory) at locations throughout the City where we currently do not have information. The information the City currently has on a property can be found in the map below. To schedule a POE inspection please contact the City’s POE Inspector, Tom Miller, at 269-932-8801 or at tmiller@sjcity.com. If preferred, residents can also supply their own POE inspection via a survey that can be found HERE.
The DSMI is used to determine the extent of water service replacements. The State has established varying rates at which water suppliers must replace lead services. Because the City of St. Joseph is in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, we are required to replace services at a rate of 5% per year starting January 1, 2021. The City is on track to meet the 2041 deadline for replacements
The current DSMI map can be found below. A link is also provided below for better viewing of the map.
Free lead testing has been offered to eligible water customers residing in the City of St. Joseph at locations that have lead or galvanized requiring replacement service lines as identified in the DSMI. Each eligible property is permitted one free test through this program. A searchable map showing eligibility is available at the Water Testing Eligibility Map link below.
Requests for testing at eligible properties re-opened on October 1, 2024 and is expected to close on April 30, 2025, as we move into our annual required testing program. For more information on the City's voluntary testing program, including to express interest in participating, please call the City of St. Joseph Water Plant at (269) 983-1240 Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM or email Lead Service.
Properties that are supplied water by a service that falls into the “Lead Status Unknown” category may also be eligible for the testing program dependent on a POE inspection result. For these properties, we know the public water service is not lead, but we do not know the privately owned material. The POE inspections will help us complete our material inventory and understand which properties do not have any lead or galvanized materials, and which have legacy materials that will require replacement.
Questions or comments regarding the Lead Service Replacement Program should be directed to the Lead Service email address.
