Taylor council details mailed lead-service-line notices, highlights free replacement program

Taylor City Council expanded on recent mailed notices about lead in service lines and urged residents to use the city’s free inspection-and-replacement program.

At the meeting, Mayor Wooley said the mailed samples targeted areas likely to have lead service lines and emphasized that "99% of the city is fine." He explained the sample was limited to roughly 60 houses and that elevated levels were linked to service lines from the street to the house rather than the city’s water mains. The mayor advised homeowners who have been away from their houses to flush water before drinking to reduce short-term exposure risks.

Council members and staff described the city’s outreach: mailed notices, articles in the Taylor Today magazine and examples posted on the city website, and urged residents to call the Department of Public Works to request inspection. One councilor who observed a crew replacing a lead line said the city replaces service lines at no cost to the homeowner and described the process as efficient and minimally disruptive.

Councilors warned that the city’s free replacement program is time-limited and that, once outreach attempts are exhausted, responsibility may shift to the buyer or seller under future state requirements. A council member estimated future replacement costs if borne by homeowners could be significant, noting potential $10,000–$20,000 figures for later replacements.

The council directed residents with concerns to contact the Department of Public Works for a free inspection; staff said they are building a database of known lead services and encouraged residents to respond to mailers so the city can schedule replacements.