Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – The City of Grand Haven is preparing to investigate more than 1,200 water service lines as part of an ongoing effort to identify lead and galvanized pipes.
City Council unanimously approved a $32,000 professional services agreement with Abonmarche to begin administrative work on verifying the city’s remaining uninspected lines. The firm will handle contract administration, GIS mapping, and construction oversight.
The total cost of the investigation is expected to stay under $575,000, coming in below the city’s $750,000 budget.
Michael England is Director of Department of Public Works:
The work will include hydro-excavating 918 service lines, hand digging 143 at curb stops, and potholing another 200 at corporation stops. City officials say completing the verification process will help determine what needs to be replaced and better position Grand Haven to secure grant funding, since many programs no longer cover verification costs.
The Grand Haven Tribune city has also budgeted about $1.5 million this year to replace service lines already confirmed to contain lead. As of April 14, 614 of the city’s 4,730 service lines have been identified as containing lead. Estimates suggest more than 1,000 lines could ultimately be affected.
Officials say there is no current lead concern in the city’s drinking water, noting that water chemistry helps prevent contamination and routine testing continues to show strong results.
All lead service lines are required to be replaced by 2035 under state and federal regulations.
City Council is expected to discuss the hydro-excavation contract further at an upcoming meeting.
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