Lead Service Extension Replacement Loan Program
Homeowners who wish to have their lead service replaced can choose to participate in the Lead Service Extension Replacement Program. This program requires the homeowner to hire a contractor to replace the lead service extension. When the lead service extension replacement has been completed the City will replace the lead service stub at no cost to the homeowner.
Homeowners seeking financial assistance for the replacement of the lead service extension can submit an
application form for the Lead Service Extension Replacement Loan Program. The loan program,
first initiated as a pilot project on September 1, 2007, has been
extended through to December 31, 2010 (pending availability of funding).
This program will allow homeowners to
apply the cost of their service extension replacement to their property tax bill and pay it back over ten years
.
The Lead Service Extension Replacement Loan Program is designed to provide financial assistance, to those
owner-occupied dwellings, containing three or less dwelling units that wish to have their lead service extensions replaced. The
pilot program came into effect September 1, 2007 and scheduled to end
December 31, 2008. It has since been re-evaluated and the deadline to
submit applications has been extended to August 30, 2010, with the
program ending December 31, 2010. This program is not retroactive for those who have already replaced, or who have scheduled replacement, of their lead service extensions. The applicant owner(s) will be required to complete an
application form provided by the City Engineer. Every person who is registered on title as an owner of the property is required to sign the application. The application must be received by the City on, or before, August 30, 2010. In addition to the completed application form the applicant owner(s) must provide:
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the non-refundable application fee of $50.00;
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a registration fee of $100.00 (refundable if the application is not approved);
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a minimum of 3 quotes for the work from bona fide qualified Contractors . The quotes must detail what work is to be done, and show costs
separately for each portion of work (i.e. separate line item prices for service extension replacement, driveway restoration, front yard restoration, internal plumbing modifications up to the water meter, etc.). Only prices related to service extension replacement are eligible for the loan;
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the owner(s) will complete and sign the Loan Agreement;
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such other information or documentation as may be required by the City Engineer;
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the owner(s) must have City confirm that the service extension material is lead.
Applications are to be submitted to:
Water Operations Engineer
Water Operations Division
A.J. Tyler Operations Centre
663 Bathurst Street
London, ON, N5Z 1P8.
Approval notices will be provided to the homeowner within 2 weeks of the City receiving the completed application. Homeowners are not permitted to commence the lead service extension replacement until they receive their written loan approval. Homeowners that commence work prior to loan approval will do so at their own risk as there is no guarantee of loan approval and may risk being disqualified from participating in the program. Loan payment will be made after the work is completed, has been inspected and approved by the Building Division, and a copy of the final invoice has been submitted to the Water Operations Engineer. The loan will be made payable to the registered homeowners. It is the responsibility of the homeowners to pay the contractor for the completed work. The City is not responsible for payment to the contractor.
For complete program details please see the
Lead Service Extension Replacement Loan Program Project Guidelines. This program will be available on a first come, first serve basis and
applications will not be received after will expire on August 30, 2010, or once the availability of funding runs out, which ever comes first. Applications received after fund availability expires will be held and considered in the order they were received if the program is extended beyond the pilot project period.
A voluntary information session was held for plumbers and contractors who perform lead service extension replacements on August 31, 2007. The information session provided contractors with an overview of the lead service extension program, responsibilities that need to be met by them and the homeowner to qualify for the loan, provided valuable advice on how to properly coordinate their work with the City, and allowed them to ask any questions regarding the program. Contractors who attended this session or who are familiar with this type of work are:
Action Drainage & Plumbing, 519-452-1684
Aqua Fix, 519-686-1447
Arnold Plumbing & Drain, 519-686-5525
Practical Plumbing Co. Ltd., 519-471-8392
Salmon Plumbing, 519-451-8910
Of course, it is always a good practice to solicit quotes from more than one source, and to ask questions regarding the different method options that may exist. Your contractor will have to obtain a Plumbing Permit from the City of London. The permit costs $60.00 and can be obtained at the City of London Building Division, 7th Floor, City Hall (519-661-4555). Once the private portion of the water service has been replaced, most contractors will take care of the notification to the City of London so that we can perform the follow-up work on the public portion of the service.
If you choose to replace your water service, we will perform a follow-up water sample analysis in order to quantify the lead level improvement, if you so desire. For more information regarding the Lead Service Replacement Program please call Water Quality Customer Service at 519-661-4739.
Further information
Lead Service Extension Replacement Loan Program Project Guidelines
Lead Service Extension Replacement Loan Application
Lead
Service Extension Loan Program By-Law
Frequently asked questions about lead water pipes
Lead Service Extension Replacement Contractor Information Session Presentation
Questions or comments? need more information?
For more information regarding the Lead Service Extension Replacement Loan Program Pilot Project please phone, fax or e-mail your questions/comments to:
Scott Koshowski, P. Eng.
Water Operations Engineer, Water Operations Division
City of London
A.J. Tyler Operations Centre
663 Bathurst Street
London, ON N5Z 1P8
Office: 519-661-2500 Ext. 7503
Fax: 519-661-2352
