Oshkosh homeowners can use a new ‘Self-Submit’ form online to report lead service lines as city scrambles to meet federal deadline
OSHKOSH – Homeowners now have an easier way to find out if their water pipe is made of lead.
Residents no longer have to schedule in-person inspections after the City of Oshkosh Public Works Department recently launched a public “Self-Submit Your Service Line” form on oshkoshwater.com.
The initiative has been introduced to try to identify all of the city’s lead water service lines before a Sept. 1 federal deadline.
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“The Department is on the clock, so we’re excited about the Self-Submit Form,” said Assistant Director of Public Works Steve Gohde via a news release.
“We appreciate everyone who has already submitted their information to help us meet the Sept. 1 deadline.”
According to the press release, property owners can submit their own information by visiting oshkoshwater.com and clicking “Self-Report Your Service Line.”
Residents will then fill out a brief form, upload photos of their water meter and service line before submitting them directly to water utility staff.
From there, water utility staff will review the information, identify the water service line material, and send the homeowner their findings and any possible next steps.
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The initiative comes as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of “delivering clean drinking water to families” through the removal of lead service pipes.
As such, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed all cities must remove lead fixtures within the next 10 years, targeting Oshkosh and nine other Wisconsin communities for additional resources to locate such pipes.
But the city said previous resident response was slow, partly in fear of the possible cost of changing home lines, which could be anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000.
Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh lead pipe replacement program now has online submission form
