The City of Independence approves the application for a loan that would cover the cost of water line replacement.

 

The move came at the most recent meeting of the Independence City Commission. The measure would allow the city to borrow up $9 million to replace water lines as required by federal law under the E-P-A's Lead and Copper Rule under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Consulting engineer Mike Younger with E-M-G engineering says water lines found in violation will need to be repleaced by 2037.

 

The replacement would follow the findings of the Lead Line Survey done by the City in 2024. Commissioner Tim Emert says he wants to know what the timeline and total cost will be.

 

City Enginner John Garris told the commission that costs would be covered over the next ten years with an increase in city water rates.