Front Royal considers program to replace old water pipes | Nvdaily

Front Royal could soon encourage property owners to modernize water pipes.

Finance director BJ Wilson outlined potential programs during a city council working session Monday that property owners could get assistance with replacing galvanized water and sewer lines.

Council members previously asked staff to consider options on how landowners would repay the city for replacing or repairing the line. The city could put the property as a tax bill for the replacement with a lien, said Wilson. Since the city couldn’t ask for repayment as an additional charge for utility bills, Wilson stated that the city would send property owners a separate invoice.

The city would reimburse property owners 75% of eligible costs up to $ 5,000 to reduce the risk of lead pollution in drinking water from replacing lead, corroded, or galvanized water supply lines.

Should the council wish to proceed, Wilson recommended that the city fund the grant-based program with $ 100,000 in the current budget. With a limit of $ 5,000 per replacement, the city could fund up to 20 water and 20 sewer lines, Wilson said. The city has to budget the same amount for the next year.

The city cannot shut down utility service unless the owner pays under a lien-based program, Wilson said. The city could, however, reclaim funds if the property is sold using the tax lien. The city would have to use funds from the household’s general fund to put a lien on the property. Front Royal cannot use the water company’s reserves to support a program that includes a tax lien. Front Royal can use the reserves to create a grant program through which the city would not ask for reimbursement from the property owner.

A draft of the program lists the admission requirements:

• The property currently needs to be connected to the city’s water network.

• The water supply line from the water meter pot to the property must be made of lead or galvanized pipes, with a written confirmation from a certified plumber attached to the application.

• Reimbursable expenses include, but are not limited to, utility line excavation, material and labor costs related to line replacement, and permits.

The Safe Drinking Water Act prohibits the use of any pipe, solder, or flux that is not considered to be lead-free. Houses and other buildings built before 1986 may have lead lines, and some built before the 1960s likely contain galvanized tubing. Galvanized pipes can rust inside and corrode over time, creating deposits that restrict water flow. Galvanized pipes can release lead into the water if the property had or has a lead connection pipe.

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