CITY OF WELLAND

LEAD AND SPLIT (WATER) SERVICE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

(LASSR)

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

---

January 18, 2012

The City of Welland, in partnership with the Niagara Region WaterSmart progam, is offering a Grant Program to Homeowners with a lead water service pipe or sharing a water service with a neighbour (also referred to as a split water service).  LASSR works to provide funding to help offset the cost of replacement of the water service.  A funding allocation to a maximum of $1,500 is available to assist the Homeowner with the improvements.  The work done is between the Homeowner and their Contractor.  The Homeowner is responsible for the on-going operation and maintenance of the new installation. Funding for this grant has been established on a 50/50 cost sharing basis between the City of Welland and the Niagara Region WaterSmart program.

The Program is only available to residential homeowners who have made application before the replacement is completed. Retroactive funding to homeowners is not available where the work was commenced prior to Program application/approval.

Please read these Policies and Procedures including the attached Application Form carefully before making formal application.  It is imperative every Homeowner seeking funding under the Program understands the extent and requirements of the Program thoroughly, including the requirement to sign a statement releasing the City from all claims resulting from works carried out under this Grant Program.

Please note: Replacement and/or modification of any existing building system including the water service may reveal other building deficiencies, unrelated to the water service.  If such deficiencies are discovered upon excavation, or at any time, the Homeowner will be responsible to decide if repairs or new work is necessary and will be responsible for the cost of the related work.

ELIGIBLE WORKS/COSTS

The works listed below and those considered at the discretion of Integrated Services are ELIGIBLE for submission of a Grant request. 

1. Excavation including sawcutting where necessary.
    
2. Removal/abandonment of lead water service pipe from curb stop at property line to the building control shut off valve.
    
3. Removal/abandonment of shared water service from the curb stop at property line to the 2 house building control shut off valves. In the case of a split/shared water service, upon application approval, each homeowner is entitled to recover eligible costs up to a maximum of $1,500.
    
4. Supply and installation costs of new water service pipe from curb stop at property line to each house served.  Water service pipe shall be minimum ¾” size copper.
    
5. Installation costs above shall include pipe bedding, backfill, compaction, labour, and equipment costs, where necessary to complete the work.
    
6. Program will include reasonable restoration costs such as concrete foundation and concrete floor repair, interior finishes, sodding/seeding, porch/deck relocation, asphalt/concrete driveway reinstatement, sidewalk reinstatement.
    
7. Program will not include restoration costs for landscaping, flowerbeds, tree replacement, excessive driveway repair, new porches, new sidewalks, new decks.

GRANT ALLOCATION

The funding allocation is $1,500, established by Council on March 1, 2011.

PROCEDURES

1. Contact Integrated Services – Building Services Technician who is the LASSR Program Project Co-Ordinator – 905-735-1700, Extension 2257 or 2251 to discuss the Program.  The Project Co-Ordinator will review your situation and advise you if you may be eligible for the LASSR Program.
    
2. If it is determined that you may be eligible for the Program, the attached Application Form must be completed and submitted.  At this point, the Project Co-Ordinator will arrange a satisfactory time with you to view your property for a pre-work site inspection, with City Inspectors and Public Works Staff.
    
3. At the pre-work site inspection, City representatives will review the general installation with you and given the characteristics of your home and property will advise you if the work is eligible for funding under this Program. The form may list the eligible works for the Contractor's use to help itemize costs. A sketch may be prepared to form the basis of the work.
    
4. You will then need to obtain written quotations for the eligible works from Contractors you are prepared to hire. It is your responsibility to find a suitable Contractor as is usual with any work on private property. Only works identified in the pre-work inspection will be eligible, the Contractor must not quote on restoration items not covered in the Program. Your selected quote MUST be submitted to the Project Co-Ordinator for review.
    
5. The Program will only cover eligible costs to a maximum $1,500. If total eligible costs are less than $1,500, only eligible costs will be funded. If total eligible costs are greater than $1,500, only $1,500 will be funded and the Homeowner will be required to fund the difference.
    
6. Once you and the Project Co-Ordinator have established the most acceptable approach and costs, permission will be given to proceed with the eligible works, but only after the appropriate Plumbing Permit has been issued.  The Homeowner or his/her Contractor must obtain and pay for the Plumbing Permit (fee in 2012 is $100).
    
7. The Municipality will not supervise or be responsible for the work other than to inspect the plumbing and related works to ensure that they are installed in accordance with the Building Code.  You will oversee the work as is usual when private residence work is carried out, and are ultimately responsible for its satisfactory completion.  The Project Co-Ordinator and Building/Plumbing Inspectors will be available for consultation on technical concerns, however remember you will be hiring the Contractor who will be working for you as Owner of the property and building.
    
8. CITY WORK FIRST – Generally, the City may install new water laterals to your property line before any work on private property may commence.  City will determine the location of laterals to your property line in consultation with you, at the pre-work site inspection. Final decision will lie with the City..
    
9. ELECTRICAL GROUNDING – The Homeowner and Contractor are responsible to ensure electrical grounding is maintained.  As the electrical main service ground often utilizes the building water service, the installation/replacement/repair of any water service must conform with the requirements of the Electrical Safety Code with respect to grounding.  Contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-372-7233 concerning this matter if applicable.
    
10. ABANDONMENT OF EXISTING WATER SERVICE  - Existing water service must be adequately abandoned by permanent capping, not by crimping pipe.  Any abandonment inside the building must be completed where pipe enters building.
     
11. REQUIRED INSPECTIONS – (1) Pre-work, and (2) water service completion (prior to backfill).   It is the responsibility of you or your Contractor to schedule the inspections with the City well in advance of the intention to backfill or cover.
     
12. WATER METER - A water meter must be installed in the correct location at the completion of the work in order to qualify for the program.  If no water meter exists, one must be installed by the City’s Water Meter Division in conjunction with the new water service.  If a water meter exists, and the new water service installed under this Program enters the building at a different location the meter may need to be relocated by your Contractor in conjunction with the new water service.  It is your Contractors responsibility to relocate the existing water meter to City Standards, which may require special fittings from the City and will require final approval from the Water Meter Department prior to approval of funding.
     
13. Once all of the Program work has been done and you are content that your Contractor has completed everything to your satisfaction, you must submit your Contractor's final invoice (along with any other relevant documentation if requested) to the Project Co-Ordinator.  Please note that you MUST sign the release portion of the Application Form before your Grant will be processed, so please ensure you read it carefully in advance of proceeding with the Program.
     
14. This information will be reviewed to ensure that only costs associated with the eligible works are funded. A Grant will then be issued to you in the form of payment for all costs deemed eligible to a maximum of $1,500 per home. All efforts will be made to evaluate these forms and issue cheques in a timely manner. You will then pay the Contractor.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A Grant shall not exceed $1,500 per residence/water service pipe. A Grant will only be awarded for the amount outlined on the Application Form submitted and the documentation such as bills for Contractor's work, labour and materials used to complete the eligible works.

Please note that weather conditions at the time of application may delay work to be completed by City staff on the City owned side of the water service (if applicable) to a later date where such work can be completed.

The cheque will be made payable in the homeowners name only.  It is the responsibility of the homeowner and their contractor to determine payment options in accordance with their own contract. The City of Welland will not be held responsible for the agreement between the two parties, should a dispute arise.

HOMEOWNERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATION OF ALL WORK INCLUDING CO-ORDINATION OF WORK WITH NEIGHBOUR (IN THE CASE OF SPLIT SERVICES) CO-ORDINATION OF WORK NECESSARY TO INSTALL NEW WATER METER OR RELOCATE EXISTING WATER METER, AND CO-ORDINATION OF WORK WITH PUBLIC WORKS IN THE CASE OF A NEW OR REPLACEMENT CITY LATERAL.  FAILURE TO CO-ORDINATE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF WATER SUPPLY TO THE HOUSE.

 

INFORMATION AND FORMS (Attached)

• LASSR Program Application Form (necessary to apply for $1,500 grant)
   
• Plumbing Permit Application Form (necessary to apply for permit to do work – note permit must be issued before work can be undertaken)
   
• Site Plan (pdf)

SUMMARY OF PROCESS

• Preliminary contact with the Project Co-Ordinator
   
• Application submitted
   
• Pre-work inspection with City Representatives on site
   
• Search out prospective Contractors
   
• Submit quotations from at least 2 selected Contractors on eligible works 
   
• Receive permission to proceed under Program
   
• Discuss and agree on work with Contractor - do not start work yet 
   
• Co-ordinate work with neighbour for shared water service
   
• Co-ordinate work with Public Works for new City lateral – City lateral may be required to be installed first
   
• Co-ordinate new water meter installation with the City’s Water Meter Division (if none exists)
   
• Co-ordinate relocation of existing water meter by your Contractor (if required to be moved to location where new water service enters building)
   
• Obtain Plumbing Permit (by Contractor or Homeowner - $100 fee required in 2012)
   
• Schedule inspections with City Inspectors by calling 905-735-1700, Extension 2251 or 2257 at least 1 day before new water service will be backfilled
   
• Begin work
   
• Do not backfill until inspections completed
   
• Work completed
   
• Submit final invoice for Grant processing
   
• Grant awarded to Homeowner
   
• Payment to Contractor by Homeowner 

CONTACTS

For further information concerning the Program and work on private property, please contact City Hall during regular business hours (8:30am – 4:30pm) at 905-735-1700:

• LASSR Project Co-Ordinator – Extension 2257 or 2251
   
• Building/Plumbing Inspectors – Extension 2257 or 2251 (for inspections 24-48 hours notice required)

For further information concerning replacement of City water laterals on the road allowance please contact Public Works during regular business hours at 905-735-9500:

• Sewer/Water Foreman – Extension 3020
   
• Public Works General Foreman - Extension 3004

For further information concerning relocation of the existing water meter, or for special fittings please contact the City’s Water Meter Division during regular business hours at 905-735-9500:

• Senior Meter Calibrator Installer – Extension 3041

For further information concerning installation of a new water meter (not relocation of an existing meter), please contact the City’s Water Meter Division:

• Senior Meter Calibrator Installer – Extension 3041

 

Personal information collected by Integrated Services is collected under the authority of the Planning Act, Building Code Act, and related City By-laws and will be used in the administration and enforcement of matters relating to the these Acts and By-laws.  Questions about the collection of personal information may be addressed to the General Manager, Integrated Services or the Chief Building Official, both of whom can be reached at this office or by telephone at (905) 735-1700.