The MN Department of Health (MDH) is developing a Lead Service Line Inventory Assistance Program. The program will provide grant funding to cities to develop their service line inventory and determine the location of lead service lines. Once lead service lines are identified, cities can apply for funding through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for replacement. This program is designed to improve the health and safety of water supplies across Minnesota.
MDH is creating a list of pre-approved consulting engineers. Our civil team is working with MDH to provide the information they need, so Widseth will be on that list. They expect to have the list ready sometime in March. When cities apply for grants, they will be able to select the consulting firm that they wish to work with.
It is expected that the city grant program will be ready by May, if not earlier. At that time, cities can apply for grants of up to $75,000 for each of these categories:
- Review city records of service lines
- Visual inspection of service lines inside the home
- Development of a replacement plan
Funding will be based on a ranking system developed by MDH to target cities most in need of assistance. Scoring will include lead exceedance, population, and other criteria.
Replacement funding is available for water systems that have identified lead service lines. MDH will be providing guidance to assist with the application process in the near future.
Cities will be required to submit a lead service line inventory by October 16, 2024. More information on lead water service lines can be found at Lead Service Line Inventory - MN Dept. of Health.
Contact Widseth Engineers:
Steve Emery, PE, at 218-773-5626
Bryan Bye, PE, at 320-335-5051
or your Widseth city engineer for questions on Lead Service Line Inventory Assistance and Replacement.
