LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

Columbus City Codes tit. 11, ch. 1119

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 1119.01 Purpose and Objectives.

1119.01 - Purpose and Objectives. The purpose of chapter 1119 of the Columbus City Codes is to establish the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, to protect the public health, and to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to administer and enforce chapter 1119. The provisions of Columbus City Codes chapter 1119 shall be applicable to service lines that are connected to the water service system of the Division of Water. The objectives of this chapter are: (A) To protect the public health by decreasing the public's potential exposure to lead in drinking water; (B) To protect the Division of Water operations; and (C) To establish requirements for the replacement of Lead Service Lines, within the corporate limits that receive water service from the system of the Division of Water. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024; Ord. No. 1882-2026, § 1, 6-29-2026)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.02 Definitions.

1119.02 - Definitions. Whenever used in this section, the meaning of the following words and terms shall be as defined in this section: (A) "Lead Service Line" means a tap or a service line, as those terms are defined in CCC section 1105.01, that is either made of lead or is Galvanized Requiring Replacement. (B) "Galvanized Requiring Replacement" means a galvanized steel tap or service line that is or was, at any time, downstream of a Lead Service Line or is currently downstream of a Lead Status Unknown service line. (C) "Lead Status Unknown" means a service line material is not known to be lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement, or a Non-lead Service Line, such as where there is no documented evidence supporting material classification. (D) "Non-lead Service Line" means a service line that is determined through an evidence-based record, method, or technique not to be lead or Galvanized Requiring Replacement. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.03 Public Nuisance.

1119.03 - Public Nuisance. The use of a Lead Service Line to deliver drinking water from a water main to a residence, business, school, or other building or structure, increases the risk of lead content in the water; and the continued use of Lead Service Lines for an indefinite period of time, without a systematic plan for replacing those lead lines, is a threat to the health and safety of the utility customers as well as the residents, occupants, and visitors to the City. As such, Lead Service Lines are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.04 Lead Service Line Replacement Program.

1119.04 - Lead Service Line Replacement Program. (A) The Lead Service Line Replacement Program is hereby established for the purpose of abating the public nuisance caused by Lead Service Lines. The Director of Colombus Water & Power may develop rules and regulations to implement the Lead Service Line Replacement Program and set forth guidelines for replacing all Lead Service Lines within the water system of the Division of Water. (B) The Director may update the Lead Service Line Replacement Program rules and regulations, as necessary, to comply with changes to federal or state law, regulation or rule or in response to operational needs of Columbus Water & Power. (C) City contribution to or payment for Lead Service Line replacement costs incurred pursuant to the Lead Service Line Replacement Program shall be determined in accordance with the Lead Service Line Replacement Program rules and regulations. (D) The property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of any new service line provided pursuant to the Lead Service Line Replacement Program. Any costs of repair, replacement, or maintenance incurred after the replacement of the service line by the City shall be paid by the owner and shall not be subject to reimbursement by the City. The City will, if applicable, transfer any warranty for the work to the owner of the property. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024; Ord. No. 1882-2026, § 1, 6-29-2026)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.05 Lead Service Lines Prohibited.

1119.05 - Lead Service Lines Prohibited. Lead Service Lines are prohibited. (A) Existing Lead Service Lines shall be prohibited as of August 14, 2024. The Division of Water shall not approve the installation or repair of any Lead Service Line. (B) In accordance with the schedule laid out in the guidelines established pursuant to section 1119.04, the Division of Water will issue written notice to the owner of premises requiring Lead Service Line replacement. Within 30 days of written notice by the Division of Water, the owner of any dwelling, building, or structure serviced by a Lead Service Line is required to replace the Lead Service Line by one of the following methods: (1) Signing up for the Lead Service Line Replacement Program and allowing the Division of Water, or its agent, to access their property to conduct the replacement; or (2) Contracting with a licensed contractor to replace the Lead Service Line with non-lead pipe that complies with Division of Water specifications; or (3) Providing the Division of Water with written proof from a licensed contractor that the dwelling, building, or structure is not serviced by a Lead Service Line and/or that the Lead Service Line was previously removed from service and replaced; or (4) Submitting a service line self-assessment survey that is approved by the Division of Water that the dwelling, building, or structure is not serviced by a Lead Service Line. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024; Ord. No. 0946-2025, § 1, 5-19-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.06 Failure to replace a Lead Service Line.

1119.06 - Failure to replace a Lead Service Line. Following the issuance of notice pursuant to section 1119.05(b) and the failure of an owner to replace a Lead Service Line by one of the methods described in that section within the required timeframe, the Director is authorized to take either or both of the following actions: (A) Termination of Water Service. (1) After twenty-one (21) days' written notice, the Director may terminate water services to the property. (2) The notice shall indicate the basis upon which service is being terminated and date after which service will be terminated if the Lead Service Line is not replaced. The notice shall also indicate the hearing rights afforded to any person affected by the termination notice by which the person may contest the water service termination. The notice shall be mailed or hand delivered to the address of the customer of record and to the service address. (3) Any affected person desiring a hearing concerning a termination of water service under this section must request a hearing with the Director by submitting a written and signed request to the Division of Water no later than ten (10) days after receipt of a termination notice. Failure of an affected person to file a request for hearing within the allotted ten (10) day period shall constitute a waiver by that person of their right to a hearing under this section. A request for hearing shall be made in the manner approved by the Director and shall include at a minimum: name, address and telephone number of affected person; date; a statement requesting a hearing; and a description of the nature of the dispute, including the location of the affected property. (4) The Director or designee shall convene a hearing on the matter within ten (10) days of receiving the request for hearing. If a hearing cannot be scheduled within this ten (10) day period, then the water service termination shall be automatically stayed, pending the holding of a hearing on this matter. The Director shall adopt regulations establishing procedures by which hearings will be conducted pursuant to this section. (5) For the purposes of this section the meaning of "affected person" shall include, but is not limited to, an owner, occupant, resident or tenant of the affected property. (B) Lead Service Line Replacement. (1) The Director may replace or contract for the replacement of the Lead Service Line. (2) Pursuant to sections 1119.08 and/or 1119.09, this may include entry onto the property and/or into the building. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.07 Powers of the Director.

1119.07 - Powers of the Director. The Director of Columbus Water & Power may promulgate rules and regulations and adopt policies as necessary to enforce or implement the provisions of chapter 1119. Rules or Regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter shall be published in the City Bulletin, with copies made available for public review at the Director's office and other locations which may be designated by the Director. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the Director or any person acting under the direction or authorization of the Director in carrying out the provisions of this chapter to obtain a certificate of appropriateness or approval under Title 31, Title 33, or Title 34. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024; Ord. No. 3314-2025, § 1(Exh. A), 12-15-2025; Ord. No. 1882-2026, § 1, 6-29-2026)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.08 Right of Entry.

1119.08 - Right of Entry. (A) Upon presentation of proper credentials and at reasonable times, the Director, or the Director's duly authorized representatives, shall have the right to enter the property of any person in the areas identified pursuant to the guidelines developed under section 1119.04 to perform inspections or other work as authorized by this chapter. The purpose of the entry is limited to the performance of the inspection and work related to the replacement of Lead Service Lines. (B) The Director, or the Director's duly authorized representatives, shall provide the owner or the person in possession written notice at least five days in advance nor more than thirty days prior to the date of such entry, by both leaving a notice at the property and mailing the notice to the utility billing address. The property owner or person in possession shall allow such access to the Director and such entry shall not constitute a trespass. (C) No person shall prohibit the Director, or the Director's duly authorized representatives, from entering the property, provided notice is given as required herein. (D) The City shall or cause to be made restitution or reimbursement for any actual damage resulting to such property and to improvements or personal property located in, on, along, over or under such property, as a result of such activities. If the parties are unable to agree upon restitution or other settlement, damages are recoverable by civil action to which the City hereby consents. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.09 Legal Action.

1119.09 - Legal Action. No person shall fail to comply with any Rule or Regulation adopted by the Director of Columbus Water & Power pursuant to this chapter. Whenever a person has violated any provision(s) of this chapter, the City may seek any and all remedies otherwise allowed by law, including, but not limited to, disconnection of service, seeking injunctive relief against said person, and/or a civil action for damages. (Ord. No. 1627-2024, § 3(Att.), 7-15-2024; Ord. No. 1882-2026, § 1, 6-29-2026)

Columbus City Codes § 1119.10 Lead Elimination Assistance Program.

1119.10 - Lead Elimination Assistance Program. A lead elimination assistance program is hereby established for the purpose of assisting property owners in funding the replacement of their Lead Service Lines, as defined in Section 1119.02. The Director of Columbus Water & Power is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer the program. Notwithstanding any other sections of the city codes, the Director's rules and regulations may provide for deferral of the payment of costs associated with the replacement of private Lead Service Lines. The rules and regulations may also establish eligibility requirements and/or administrative fees for the program and may establish a loan program for property owners to assist those property owners with the replacement of their Lead Service Lines, with the repayment of costs deferred until the property is sold, transferred, or no longer used as a private residence. Repayment of loans and replacement costs will be secured through a mortgage recorded against the property. Article III. Sewers (Ord. No. 2397-2024, § 1, 10-7-2024; Ord. No. 1882-2026, § 1, 6-29-2026)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11WASEELCO_CH1119LESELIREFetched: 10/27/2026