Lincoln Park City Attorney Ed Zelenak (second from left) speaks at the Nov. 4 Lincoln Park City Council meeting, at which the council approved the replacement of lead-containing water service lines leading from the water main to residences, as Councilman Larry Kelsey (left), Interim City Manager John Zech, Mayor Thomas Karnes and City Clerk Kerry Kehrer listen.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – The City Council unanimously approved the replacement of lead pipe service lines connecting city water mains to three city residences following the results of recent water samples exceeding state limits.
Lead pipes can allow lead to contaminate drinking water, which is exacerbated when water sits in pipes when there is no water movement, as may occur when residents are at work, school or asleep.
The specific lead service lines which will be replaced, at 1784 Warkwick, 1454 Paris and 1865 O’Connor, had water sample readings in excess of the new state requirements for lead and copper limits as set forth by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The Paris and O’Connor addresses also exceeded the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The city’s engineering firm, Henessey Engineers Inc., obtained competitive quotes on behalf of John Kozuh, director of the Lincoln Park Department of Public Works, with the council awarding the $15,900 bid to Bore Brothers Directional Drill, per Kozuh’s recommendation, at the Nov. 4 city council meeting. The money will come from the city’s water department capital fund.
Kozuh said the city has worked with Bore Brothers in the past and been satisfied with the company’s work, and said the company provides a two-year warranty on its work.
The price includes tapping the water main and providing new copper line water service, and a new stop box and shutoff valve inside the house.
Concrete floor repair is included, but not the cost of addressing restoration of flooring in finished basements.
Stone and cold patch in the roadway and limestone aggregate for the sidewalk will be provided until weather permits permanent restoration by another city contractor during warmer weather.
The city council has scheduled a study session for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 to discuss new state statutes concerning lead water service line replacement, which will be held in the city council chambers at Lincoln Park City Hall, 1355 Southfield Road, preceding the next city council meeting.