Owosso moves to replace lead water service lines

Argus Press 
Sally York
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OWOSSO — The city has adopted a new rule mandating the replacement of lead and galvanized metal water service pipes extending to local properties over the next 20 years, at no charge to residents.
In addition, city officials have passed new ordinance language to reflect the high-tech water meters recently installed at properties throughout Owosso.

Owosso City Council members approved both moves during a virtual meeting Monday.

City Manager Nathan Henne said the service pipe program, mandated by the state through revised lead and copper rules, “reflects the new reality” that the city will no longer split the cost of service line replacement with residents, but cover the whole cost.

“Now we will pay half again as much, on the city side, to address this,” Henne said.
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Revised lead and copper rules under the Michigan Department of Energy, municipalities throughout the state are required to replace private and public property water service lines that are made of lead or galvanized metal, which have been shown to contaminate drinking water.

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