City of Centralia begins physical identification of lead service lines
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CENTRALIA — The City of Centralia approved a bid on Monday from JK Trotter to complete the lead service line inventory as part of a multi-year, state-mandated project addressing health concerns related to lead in drinking water.
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Lead Service Line Replacement Act, passed in 2022, requires city municipalities to submit a complete replacement plan to the state by April of 2027. Though there is some grant funding available, the project is solely up to the municipalities to fund.
This will be the city’s first step in physically identifying service lines within the city before replacement begins. Previously, in 2023, efforts were made to identify service lines through surveys and historical records, a task conducted by 120 Water in partnership with EJ Water. However, that project, which cost $30,000 in grant-funded dollars, came back with 96% of service lines in Centralia unfounded.
According to Centralia City Manager Galen Mahle, that number has decreased as more surveys and discoveries by public works have been made over the past two years. He said that a public record of service line materials will be published once there is a complete survey.
Mahle says the lowest bid submitted that meets the project requirements was by JK Trotter.
“The submitted low bid from JK Trotter is recommended for approval as it meets the scope and requirements for identifying service line and connection materials in both non-pavement and pavement areas.”
In non-pavement areas, the contractor will vacuum soil out of the meter pit, identify materials and backfill, and see the area. In areas with pavement, the contractor will cut the pavement and vacuum to service the line. They will then restore the pavement to match the existing conditions.
“In both cases, the city will observe the work, and the contractor is responsible for all materials, labor, equipment, traffic control, mobilization and proper identification reported to the city for the inventory.”
Mahle told the Sentinel that there is no current timeline for when this project will start, but public works employees are currently working with JK Trotter to come up with a plan.
In other news, the city council approved ordinances declaring certain real estate within city limits as surplus property and authorizing the city manager to solicit bids. Those properties include 435 S Hickory, 1335 S. Locust, 615 N. Hickory and 926 N. Poplar. Those properties are currently open for bids and bids will be opened on Oct. 27. It was included that all properties are vacant lots.
Another ordinance approved was for the closure and use of city streets and sidewalks for the Centralia Sunshine Project and Centralia Cultural Society’s Wine and Art Festival on Oct. 4.
The council also approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the Aug. 25 city council meeting, the minutes of both Aug. 25 public meetings and payrolls and vouchers in the amount of $1,878,932.28.
