Columbus is expanding its lead and galvanized pipe replacement program citywide, hoping to eliminate and replace all pipes across the Columbus Water and Power service area in 12 years, at what the city says is no cost to residents.
The city spent the past few years testing its "Lead-Safe Columbus" pilot program for replacing these pipes at 300 homes across the city. The pilot program came at a cost of $3.5 million, while the expanded program is estimated to cost the city $1 billion over the next decade-plus sourced from ratepayers in the region.
The city said there will be no additional costs to those whose homes will be impacted. The city, however, did increase water and sewer rates last year, mostly to fund construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.
Now, the city wants to target an additional 50,000 homes across the city to meet a federal government deadline of 2037 to replace lead pipes. At a press conference Wednesday on North Burgess Avenue in the Hilltop, city officials explained the program and how it will prioritize different areas of the city.
Columbus Water and Power Director Kristen Atha said areas like the Hilltop will be a first priority for the region. A map online illustrates what properties may be impacted.
"There are some areas of town where we're fairly confident that there are lead or galvanized (pipes). We've done an inventory, but then there are some areas of town where we have to dig and investigate and determine," Atha said.
Atha said that typically homes built up to 100 years ago likely have lead or galvanized pipes, but there are exceptions. The lines being replaced are the service lines that connect a home to city-owned water pipes.
Columbus City Council member Christopher Wyche said the city will take a multi-pronged approach to replace the pipes. This will happen alongside planned construction, routine maintenance, emergency break assistance and neighborhood projects.
Wyche said he barely missed out on benefitting from the program. The city estimates the repairs will save residents $7,500 each.
"I said this when we announced the pilot project that I was jealous because my service line got broken and I had to replace it and it was expensive," Wyche said. "So if this program was in existence at that time, I definitely would have taken advantage."
The program applies to the entire service area of Columbus Water, which goes outside Columbus city limits.
Gerard Volker lives in the Beechwold area of Clintonville and had his pipes replaced by the city two years ago when he noticed a small leak. He said the fix took about a month and now his water pressure has improved tremendously.
"I've also been an evangelist for the program. I've been telling my neighbors and friends, 'hey you should check your lines,' and some of them sure enough have older lines and some have been replaced in the last 20 years," Volker said.
Lead exposure over time can build up, causing a myriad of health issues, especially for children, according to the EPA. This includes behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and anemia. In adults, lead exposure can also lead to cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and hypertension, decreased kidney function and reproductive problems in both women and men.
The city emphasized in a press release that the city's drinking water is safe.
