Water service line replacements and inspections are continuing this winter in South Haven as the city works to identify and remove any lead or galvanized water lines.

South Haven Water and Sewer Superintendent Dustin Guminski tells us crews from the city and Five Star Energy Services are verifying materials and replacing lines where required, at no cost to customers.

“Anything that is found to be galvanized or lead has to be replaced to any galvanized that was assumed to be possibly connected to lead in the past, trying to get the lead out of the ground,” Guminski said.

Guminski notes these efforts are taking place in municipalities all across Michigan. South Haven’s been at it for about three years, and Guminski says they’ve covered about 29% of the properties affected.

Throughout the winter, work will be limited to select areas to reduce road damage.

“The contractor that we are using, they are going around and potholing the services in the parkway and verifying what those are. City staff is also going around and verifying the waterline materials coming into houses as the people call and schedule appointments.”

Guminski says they’ll restore topsoil and grass in the spring. He adds customer participation is critical, as the city will notify a customer when it would like to come and check their property.

Anyone with questions should contact the city DPW.

Guminski says all of this work is being funded with a low-interest state loan and nearly $6 million in grant money.