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 inventory in December 2019 in compliance with the deadline of the new rule; the final material inventory is due in five years. In order to comply with the final DSMI, the City is conducting point-of-entry inspections to determine service material type where it enters the foundation or structure. Property owners should expect to be contacted by City staff to arrange a convenient time to conduct this inspection if it has not been completed already. A small portion of newer constructed homes in the City will not require an inspection because the City has records on file confirming that no lead is present.
The distribution material system inventory will be 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 in the process of developing the lead water service replacement program schedule.
Links to the current DSMI map and a map illustrating the general location of the water service line replacements are provided below.
UPDATE: Resident supplied Point-of-Entry Inspection Survey can be found HERE.
Free lead testing has been offered to eligible water customers residing in the City of St. Joseph at locations that have lead or likely lead service lines as identified in the DSMI (Distribution Service Material Inventory). A searchable map showing eligibility is available at the Water Testing Eligibility Map link below.
Requests for testing at eligible properties will close on April 30, 2024, as we move into our annual required testing program, but are expected to re-open on October 1, 2024, as the required compliance sampling period ends. 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.
We will expand voluntary testing to properties in the "unknown" category, in conjunction with point-of-entry inspections. For these properties, we know the public water service is not lead, but we do not know the privately owned material. The point-of-entry 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. If you don’t have email access, please contact Director of Public Works Greg Grothous at 269-985-0309.
