Lead pipes have been a well-known health hazard for years. The City of Duluth is currently working on lead pipe replacement projects in Gary, New Duluth, and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Unlike previous years, this includes both lead pipes under the street and those on private property. 

“Part of the funding is federal and then last summer, the state added funding specifically for lead water service replacement. We’re tapping into those funds through the PFA, Public Facilities Authority, managed at the state level,” explained City of Duluth Senior Engineering Specialist Jon Maruska. “The funding allows us to replace the privately owned portion of the lead water service at the same time.”

Maruska says the average cost of a lead pipe replacement project is $12,000 to $20,000 per house. The city is hoping to accomplish 600 or more this year. Thanks to efforts made at the city, state, and federal levels, this is 100% free to homeowners and will not be considered a taxable benefit. 

Jim Carlson recently had the lead pipes replaced outside of his business, Carlson Upholstery. He was pleased by how quickly the work was completed. 

“They started digging about nine o’clock in the morning. About noon they turned the water off. Three-thirty the water was back on and by four-thirty they were filling the hole,” recalled Carlson. “These guys are great to work with. They’re very conscientious, and if anything you ask them, they take care of it. They were here on time and did what they were supposed to do and cleaned up after themselves, and it was on to the next project for them.” 

Judy Vandell had a similar experience at her home. She responded to a mailer last summer and was told that it would have to wait until September. Vandell was pleasantly surprised to have the project done two months sooner.

“They did a really quick job. They left the water off for maybe 15-20 minutes at the most, and that was my biggest concern,” said Vandell.

The city is already making plans for next year and has sent out mailers to those suspected of having lead pipes. 

“We expect to do over 1,600 lead service line replacements next year. Some of those are still in design and a mailing did go out,” said Maruska. “We encourage anybody who received that mailing to respond as soon as possible to make sure their home gets designed in the next phase of projects.”