Courier-Leader photo/Paul Garrod
By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
PAW PAW – For the past several weeks, orange barrels and mounds of dirt have landscaped the northern portion of the Village of Paw Paw as current water service lines are being replaced with new copper service if the existing service material is found to be lead or galvanized, according to Paw Paw Village Manager Will Joseph.
If lead or galvanized material is found to be present, the village plans to replace either the lead service line from the village’s water main to the curb stop, the curb stop to the first shutoff valve in the home – 18 inches inside the home- or both with a new copper service, whichever is applicable, according to Joseph.
Joseph said that state requirements call for the water lines to be replaced, with five percent changed each year for the next 20 years. The Village of Paw Paw is undergoing the project thanks in part to a $3 million grant. Joseph said 425 service lines are expected to be changed out in the first round, with a completion date of spring of 2023. Joseph said that approximately 229 lines have been replaced. There are approximately 1,200 service lines in the village, with 575 service lines estimated to be completed with grant money.
The northern section of the village was the first area to be identified for replacement because of its high density of residential, and it is also the oldest part of the village.
Joseph said that Wisconsin-based – Five Star Energy Services is undertaking the line replacement project. There is no cost to residents for the replacement, according to Joseph.
“Faced with a little bit of hesitation from village residents, Joseph said, “We are trying to be as accommodating as possible as we work through this project.”