Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation will amend Chapter 1119 of the Columbus City Codes to allow flexibility for compliance with the prohibition on lead service lines.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact from this legislation.
Title
To amend Chapter 1119 of the Columbus City Codes to allow flexibility for compliance with the prohibition on lead service lines.
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1627-2024, passed July 15, 2024, enacted City Code Chapter 1119 to establish the Lead Service Line Replacement Program; and
WHEREAS, Lead Service Lines, as defined in Section 1119.02 of the Columbus City Codes, have been declared a public nuisance under Section 1119.03; and
WHEREAS, Section 1119.05 of the Columbus City Codes prohibits the repair of any Lead Service Line and requires the owner of any dwelling, building, or structure serviced by a Lead Service Line to replace the Lead Service Line by one of three methods; and
WHEREAS, the third method of compliance in Section 1119.05 of the Columbus City Codes originally required written proof from a licensed contractor; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate and in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the City, its inhabitants, and the operations of the City’s drinking water utility to provide flexibility by expanding the third method of compliance to require written proof from a licensed contractor or by submitting a service line self-assessment survey that is approved by the City, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Section 1119.05 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby amended to read as follows:
1119.05 - Lead Service Lines Prohibited.
Lead Service Lines are prohibited.
(A) Existing Lead Service Lines shall be prohibited as of August 14, 2024 the effective date of this section. The Division of Water shall not approve the installation or repair of any Lead Service Line.
(B) In accordance with the schedule laid out in the guidelines established pursuant to section 1119.04, the Division of Water will issue written notice to the owner of premises requiring Lead Service Line replacement. Within 30 days of written notice by the Division of Water, the owner of any dwelling, building, or structure serviced by a Lead Service Line is required to replace the Lead Service Line by one of the following methods:
(1) Signing up for the Lead Service Line Replacement Program and allowing the Division of Water, or its agent, to access their property to conduct the replacement; or
(2) Contracting with a licensed contractor to replace the Lead Service Line with non-lead pipe that complies with Division of Water specifications; or
(3) Providing the Division of Water with written proof from a licensed contractor that the dwelling, building, or structure is not serviced by a Lead Service Line and/or that the Lead Service Line was previously removed from service and replaced.; or
(4) Submitting a service line self-assessment survey that is approved by the Division of Water that the dwelling, building, or structure is not serviced by a Lead Service Line.
SECTION 2. That the existing Section 1119.05 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.