Property Owner Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement
Citizens Energy Group’s Property-Owner-Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Program was created for property owners not located in a current prioritized Lead Service Line Replacement Program area who wish to undertake replacement of their lead service line. To qualify for the program, the existing water service line must be made of lead and/or galvanized iron on private property and lead in the public right-of-way. Existing water service lines that are non-lead (copper, polyethylene) on private property do not qualify for replacement under the Property-Owner-Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Program. Additionally, the water service line must have been active within the past six months. Citizens funds the portion of the replacement in the public right-of-way, but the property owner is responsible for funding the replacement of the lead water service line from the home to the property line and relocation of the water meter to a pit setting.
Property owners have two options:
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Option #1: Property owners may request a quote for their portion of the water service line replacement directly from Citizens contractor. The property owner is responsible for funding the replacement of the lead and/or galvanized iron water service line from the home to the property line and relocation of the water meter to a pit setting. The Citizens contractor will assess the project and provide a quote to the property owner describing the property owner’s cost. After the material is confirmed and the property owner agrees to pay for the replacement of the portion of the service line on private property, the contractor working on behalf of Citizens will replace the service line – including both the portion in the right-of-way and the portion on private property – as one project.
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Option #2: Property owners may contract directly with a plumber/contractor who is registered and bonded with Citizens. This plumber/contractor will then complete a service line modification permit and replace the portion of the lead and/or galvanized iron water service line on private property at the property owner’s cost. This process is dependent upon the plumber/contractor receiving approval for water service line work from Citizens and the work passing inspection. There is no need to coordinate this work with Citizens as it is an automated process that begins when the plumber/contractor submits their water service line permit application to Citizens New Service Department. Upon notification of the completed service line replacement on private property, Citizens will replace the right-of-way portion within 45 days, barring unusual circumstances.
Lead service lines modified by the property owner must be brought up to current standards, requiring full replacement of the lead service line from the water main to the home or business. Water meters will be reinstalled outside within 1 to 3 feet of the right of way line on customers property. As with other LSLR projects, the new service line will be flushed, sampled, and tested, with the test results provided to the property owner.