Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation will amend Chapters 1101 and 1119 and of the Columbus City Codes to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to disconnect vacant properties from the public water system and to expand the Lead Service Line Replacement Program into contract community areas. As the Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot wraps up and the Lead Service Line Program implementation progresses, several changes are necessary.
Beyond expanding the requirement to replace Lead Service Lines and implementation of the Lead Service Line Replacement Program into contract community areas, it is necessary to update the requirement to replace Lead Service Lines to include identification of Lead Status Unknown and replacement if they are identified as Lead Service Lines. It is also necessary to address vacant buildings and allow for disconnection when warranted.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact from this legislation.
Title
To amend Chapters 1101 and 1119 of the Columbus City Codes to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to disconnect vacant buildings from the water system and to expand the Lead Service Line Replacement Program into contract community areas. ($0.00)
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 and are prohibited in the City’s service area under Sections 1119.03 and 1119.05; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Sections 1119.01, 1119.02, 1119.03, 1119.04, 1119.05, and 1119.06 to add definitions and references to “Retail Contract” and “Water Service System of the Division of Water” to expand the requirement to replace Lead Service Lines and the implementation of the Lead Service Line Replacement Program throughout the Division of Water’s water service system including in contract community areas; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Section 1119.05 to require the owner of a premises with Lead Status Unknown, as defined in City Code Section 1119.02, to identify the service line material for the dwelling, building, or structure and replace any Lead Service Line within 30 days of a written notice from the Division of Water; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Section 1119.05 to allow an owner of a premises the option of disconnecting their Lead Service Line from the Division of Water’s water service system to comply with a written notice requiring Lead Service Line replacement; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Section 1119.06 to provide the Director of Columbus Water & Power, or their duly authorized representatives, the option of disconnecting the Lead Service Line from the Division of Water’s water service system if the owner of a premises does not comply with City Code Section 1119.05 requirements; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Section 1119.08(B) to add language to include the Director’s duly authorized representatives to the right of entry and possession; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Section 1101.03 to add the option for the Director to disconnect water services when termination of water service is authorized and to add vacant buildings to the list of conditions that could result in termination or disconnection of water services; 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 make these amendments to the Columbus City Codes, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That existing Section 1101.03 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEE ATTACHMENT - SECTION 1101.03.
SECTION 2. That the existing Section 1101.03 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That existing Sections 1119.01, 1119.02, 1119.03, 1119.04, 1119.05, 1119.06, and 1119.08 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby amended to read as follows:
SEE ATTACHMENT - CHAPTER 1119.
SECTION 4. That the existing Sections 1119.01, 1119.02, 1119.03, 1119.04, 1119.05, 1119.06, and 1119.08 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.