Lauderhill taps CHA Consulting for $298k lead and copper compliance contract

Lauderhill taps CHA Consulting for $298k lead and copper compliance contractThe Florida municipality is moving forward with Phase 2 of its Lead and Copper Rule Improvements program to classify over 8,000 unknown service lines and ensure compliance with impending EPA mandates.

The City Commission unanimously approved a $298,000 contract with CHA Consulting to support Phase 2 of the city's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

The consultant will assist the city in physically field-verifying service lines, managing EPA requirements, and handling public notifications.

A resident noted that out of approximately 11,855 service lines in the system, 8,611 have not yet been conclusively classified.

The city faces a 2027 deadline to establish a baseline inventory, followed by a 10-year window extending to 2037 to replace any identified lead or copper lines.

The City of Lauderhill, Florida, has unanimously approved a $298,000 contract with CHA Consulting, Inc. to spearhead Phase 2 of its Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) program. The agreement, approved by the City Commission on August 31, 2026, tasks the engineering firm with guiding the city through stringent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) compliance requirements. The core focus of Phase 2 is the physical field verification of the city's water service lines. During the meeting, a resident highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that of the city's roughly 11,855 service lines, 8,611 have not yet been conclusively classified. While the city previously reported zero known lead lines, thousands remain categorized as unknown. A utility staff member confirmed that CHA Consulting will assist in identifying the materials of the remaining service lines, managing mandatory EPA reporting, and coordinating public notifications. The firm will also help establish a public dashboard to inform residents about the types of pipes connecting to their homes. The city is working against federal regulatory deadlines, including a 2027 mandate to complete an updated LCRI baseline inventory. Following the inventory phase, Lauderhill will have a 10-year period, extending to October 2037, to implement a replacement program for any lead or copper service lines discovered during the verification process.