IRON MOUNTAIN — Utility projects aimed at replacing water services that are considered lead lines are ongoing in Iron Mountain, taking a dent out of a sizable undertaking that must be completed by 2041.

The city council learned this week that as of the July 4 holiday a project begun last fall by Ultra Construction Services of Marquette to replace lead service lines is about 25% complete, with 135 lines replaced.

Not all of these are full replacements, as some lines already had copper on the city or homeowner’s side, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. The work is funded by a $2.24 million grant and a $2.33 million loan at 2% interest through Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

Stanchina also reported that MEC Underground Solutions of Fairgrove has identified water line materials for 561 properties as of the July 4 holiday, putting the project a little past the halfway mark.

MEC was awarded a $468,515 contract in December to conduct field verification for at least 785 service lines. The work is entirely funded by a grant awarded through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Changes to the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act approved in 2018 require the city to replace all galvanized water services that are considered lead lines by 2041. The number needing replacement was initially estimated at 1,800, but it could be much fewer based on findings so far, according to city officials.

Stanchina has stated that past updates, the ongoing work, and an upcoming project should leave the city well-positioned to have lines replaced in advance of the state’s deadline. He’s also advised that an increase in utility rates is anticipated, with the amount tied in part to the types of financing secured.

Meanwhile, Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain is poised to receive a notice to proceed near the end of August on a $15.4 million contract for water and sewer improvements.

The project includes 11,900 feet of gravity sanitary sewer and 13,900 feet of water main; 426 lead water service replacements; and associated road restoration totaling about 2.5 miles. Much of the work will be done in the areas of West A, West Hughitt and East C streets.

The city will fund the water portion through a loan of up to $10.64 million at 2% interest from state’s DWSRF, plus a $2.666 million grant from the same source. A loan is being sought through USDA Rural Development for the sewer portion, estimated at $7.6 million.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.