City receives $5.1M from EPA to replace private lead service lines

Grand Rapids Business Journal
Rachel Watson
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The Grand Rapids City Commission on Tuesday approved and accepted a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency $5.1 million grant to help replace about 1,600 private lead service lines over the next four years in Neighborhoods of Focus within the city of Grand Rapids.

Since 2017, when it began full replacements, the city has replaced about 1,700 lead service lines.

The project will replace lead service lines between the curb box and water meter with copper water services in addition to sidewalk and lawn restoration. In previous years, lead service lines replacement on private property has been the responsibility of the homeowner. However, beginning in 2017, in advance of changes in rules, the city took on the responsibility for eligible homeowners to better serve its communities and fast-track lead service replacement in these neighborhoods.