Dubuque advances $3.3M second phase of lead service line replacement program

Dubuque advances $3.3M second phase of lead service line replacement programThe Iowa municipality has initiated public bidding for the replacement of approximately 210 private lead service lines, leveraging Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding that offers 49% principal forgiveness.

The City Council granted preliminary approval for the $3.32 million project and set a public hearing for June 1, 2026.

The project targets 210 full and partial lead service line replacements using trenching or pull-through methods.

Funding is administered through the Iowa State Revolving Fund, with $2.72 million eligible for SRF loans and forgiveness.

Phase 1 of the program replaced 133 lines, and a future Phase 3 is planned to address an additional 200 lines.

The City of Dubuque, Iowa, is moving forward with the second phase of its Private Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program. During a May 18, 2026, meeting, the City Council granted preliminary approval for the project's plans, specifications, and estimated cost of $3.32 million. The council also set a public hearing for June 1 and authorized the Water Department to advertise for public bidding. The scope of work for Phase 2 involves replacing approximately 210 lead service lines across the city's water distribution network. The project will address both full replacements—from the public water main to interior plumbing—and partial replacements where existing service materials are a combination of lead and copper. The functional replacements will be completed using trenching or pull-through methods within the city's right-of-way and on private properties with owner authorization. The initiative is supported by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds administered locally through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. According to Water Department Director Christopher Lester, 49% of the construction costs are forgivable. Of the $3.32 million estimated construction cost, $2.72 million is SRF-eligible and loan-forgiveness eligible, while the remaining $600,000 is not SRF-eligible and will be funded through the city's Water Construction Fund. The pilot program is entirely voluntary and is open to residents with verified lead service lines who meet socioeconomic guidelines established by the BIL. Phase 1 of the program, which successfully replaced 133 lead service lines, was completed in the fall of 2025 and formally accepted by the council in March 2026. The city is also planning a third phase to replace approximately 200 additional lines, which is expected to go to bid in late 2026 for the 2027 construction season. To ensure the project remains within budget, the bidding documents include limitations on the project scope based on available funding. The Water Department and project engineers will monitor construction progress and cap the work at the designated maximum funding amounts, regardless of whether all 210 identified sites are completed. Substantial completion for Phase 2 is targeted for May 7, 2027.