Newton, MA – Lead Service Replacement Program
Tata & Howard was contracted to provide design, construction administration, and resident project representation for the replacement of over 450 lead services in Newton, MA in two phases. Although the water that services the City is not corrosive, replacing lead services is a cautious and preventative measure to avoid lead from potentially leaching into tap water via the service connection which is located from the water main to the meter.
Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. As such, the affected lead services in Newton were installed between 1875 and 1915.
Prior to the construction phase of this project, Newton residents were notified about the City’s Lead Service Replacement Program (LSRP). Those wishing to participate in the program were able to take advantage of a ten-year, no interest payment plan through the City.
Under the LSRP, the City replaced, at its own expense, the portion of the water service pipe which was within the public way from the street line in front of the homeowner’s property, to the City water main. The homeowner then had the option to replace the portion of the water service pipe that ran from their meter to the property line.
Tata & Howard scheduled construction and coordinated with the residents who elected to participate in the LSRP. In most cases, limited excavation of homeowner property was needed during the first phase. A total of 427 services were replaced in Phase I of the project and another 40 are currently being scheduled under Phase II.
