Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with Ohio EPA for Lead Service Line Mapping.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) H2Ohio Lead Service Line Inventory and Mapping Grant assists public water systems with preparing service line inventories as required by the U.S. EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and to be better positioned for future lead service line replacement projects. H2Ohio is a comprehensive and data-driven approach to reduce harmful algal blooms, improve wastewater, water infrastructure, and prevent lead contamination in Ohio.
The grant funding is restricted to the activities related to the identification, mapping, and integration of service line information into the public water systems asset management program for future replacement of lead service lines. Eligibility of activities will be project specific and determined on a case-by-case basis by Ohio EPA. Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to: activities related to identification and verification of service line materials; developing an asset inventory and its integration into a Geographic Information System (GIS), and incorporation of service line information into the public water systems asset management program for future service line replacement planning.
The application window for this grant opportunity was from 8/11/2022 to 9/9/2022. The application process did not require the commitment of any matching funds.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $50,000.00 to the Water Grants Fund 6013. There is no matching grant requirement from the Ohio EPA for the use of these funds.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
Emergency action is requested to immediately provide the Department of Public Utilities with the authorization to enter into the grant agreement so lead service lines in the water system can be identified and replaced as soon a...
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