Columbus Approves $10 Million Contract to Manage Lead Water Line Replacements
AECOM Technical Services will manage the initial $10 million phase of an anticipated five-year, $50 million program to replace 50,000 lead pipes across Columbus.
Columbus authorized an initial $10 million professional engineering contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to launch program project management for the city's Lead Service Line Replacement Program. According to municipal legislative records, the ordinance passed following review by the Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee.
City records project that the total economic impact will reach $50 million in services over a five-year span to accelerate the Lead Service Line Replacement Program. To reach that total, city planning anticipates four future contract modifications of $10 million each following the initial $10 million contract. The broader initiative targets the replacement of approximately 50,000 lead and galvanized service lines by 2037 across Columbus.
The lead service line replacement program is designed to comply with the federal Environmental Protection Agency's final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. In July 2024, Columbus City Council enacted Chapter 1119 of the Columbus City Codes, which established the Lead Service Line Replacement Program and declared lead water service lines to be a public nuisance. A formal notice to proceed under the engineering contract is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Under the agreement, AECOM will coordinate with the city's Water Distribution Engineering group, Regulatory Compliance Group, and Outreach & Engagement Team. Replacing water service lines requires work on private property where lines connect into homes. Municipal records state that community outreach will begin well in advance of construction to obtain signed work agreements from property owners, supported by notifications through the city's Neighborhood Liaison Program.
The award followed formal advertisement on city vendor websites from April 17, 2026, through May 22, 2026, which yielded six responsive proposals evaluated by the city. AECOM proposed a Columbus-based subconsultant team that includes Stantec Consulting Services Inc., GPD Group, Hazen and Sawyer, certified female-owned businesses Coldwater Consulting and MurphyEpson, and certified minority-owned firm DHDC Engineering Consultant Services, Inc.
Funding for the project management contract is structured through a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account, administered jointly by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority. Under the state program's reimbursement structure, Columbus Water and Power must pay contractor invoices before seeking state reimbursement. City Council approved an amendment establishing a $10 million budget authority in the municipal revolving loan fund, with local expenditures contingent on final loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority board.
Previously, Pique Media reported on Columbus City Council water projects on Oct. 19, 2026.
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Supporting evidence (15)
Columbus authorized an initial $10 million professional engineering contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to launch program project management for the city's Lead Service Line Replacement Program.
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This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a contract through the City’s RFP process with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for professional engineering services for Lead Service Line Replacements Program Project Management (PPM), CIP 690236-110004, in an amount up to $10,000,000.00.
According to municipal legislative records, the ordinance passed following review by the Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee.
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City records project that the total economic impact will reach $50 million in services over a five-year span to accelerate the Lead Service Line Replacement Program.
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The total economic impact is expected to be $50,000,000.00 of services from the capital budget over the five-year span. This will allow the Division of Water to enhance and accelerate the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, maximizing cost savings and impacts to customers.
To reach that total, city planning anticipates four future contract modifications of $10 million each following the initial $10 million contract.
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ESTIMATED COST OF CONTRACT: The initial contract amount is $10,000,000.00, including a 10% contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. Four future contract modifications are anticipated. Cost summary: Amount Original Contract (Current) $10,000,000.00 Future Modification 1 $10,000,000.00 Future Modification 2 $10,000,000.00 Future Modification 3 $10,000,000.00 Future Modification 4 $10,000,000.00 CONTRACT TOTAL $50,000,000.00
The broader initiative targets the replacement of approximately 50,000 lead and galvanized service lines by 2037 across Columbus.
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The program targets replacement of approximately 50,000 lead and galvanized service lines by 2037 to comply with current local, state and federal requirements including the EPA’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvement requirements.
The lead service line replacement program is designed to comply with the federal Environmental Protection Agency's final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
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The program targets replacement of approximately 50,000 lead and galvanized service lines by 2037 to comply with current local, state and federal requirements including the EPA’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvement requirements.
In July 2024, Columbus City Council enacted Chapter 1119 of the Columbus City Codes, which established the Lead Service Line Replacement Program and declared lead water service lines to be a public nuisance.
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City of Columbus Ordinance 1627-2024 was adopted on July 15th, 2024, to enact Chapter 1119 of the Columbus City Codes to establish the Lead Service Line Replacement Program; to declare lead service lines in the public water systems to be a public nuisance; and to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to implement the Lead Service Line Replacement Program to replace lead and galvanized steel water lines in the City Distribution System.
A formal notice to proceed under the engineering contract is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
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TIMELINE: The Notice to Proceed is anticipated to occur in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Under the agreement, AECOM will coordinate with the city's Water Distribution Engineering group, Regulatory Compliance Group, and Outreach & Engagement Team.
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Under this contract, as determined by the City, the PPM will work with the City of Columbus Water Distribution Engineering group, the Regulatory Compliance Group, and the Outreach & Engagement Team to accelerate and coordinate lead service line replacement operations.
Municipal records state that community outreach will begin well in advance of construction to obtain signed work agreements from property owners, supported by notifications through the city's Neighborhood Liaison Program.
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Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be notified and kept informed throughout the process, and additional community outreach may be conducted through the Neighborhood Liaison Program. Community outreach begins well in advance of construction to attain work agreements as needed to work on private property.
The award followed formal advertisement on city vendor websites from April 17, 2026, through May 22, 2026, which yielded six responsive proposals evaluated by the city.
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This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from April 17, 2026, through May 22, 2026. Six proposals were received: Name C.C. No. Exp. Date City/State Status AECOM Technical Services, Inc. CC-010897 5/26/2028 Columbus, OH MAJ CDM Smith, Inc. CC-000180 9/8/2028 Columbus, OH MAJ Black & Veatch Corporation CC-008038 8/11/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. CC-024514 12/11/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ Arcadis US, Inc. CC-009409 1/21/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ GEG / Genuine LTD. CC-032942 6/22/2022 Lewis Center, OH MAJ All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for Lead Service Line Replacements Program Project Management be awarded to AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
AECOM proposed a Columbus-based subconsultant team that includes Stantec Consulting Services Inc., GPD Group, Hazen and Sawyer, certified female-owned businesses Coldwater Consulting and MurphyEpson, and certified minority-owned firm DHDC Engineering Consultant Services, Inc.
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As part of their proposal, AECOM Technical Services, Inc. has proposed using the following sub-consultants to perform contract work: Company Name City/State ODI Cert. Status Stantec Consulting Services Inc. Columbus, OH MAJ GPD Group Columbus, OH MAJ Hazen and Sawyer Columbus, OH MAJ Coldwater Consulting Columbus, OH WBE MurphyEpson Columbus, OH WBE DHDC Engineering Consultant Services, Inc. Columbus, OH MBE
Funding for the project management contract is structured through a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account, administered jointly by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority.
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Funding for Lead Service Line Replacements Program Project Management will be obtained through a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA).
Under the state program's reimbursement structure, Columbus Water and Power must pay contractor invoices before seeking state reimbursement.
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The WSRLA program is now a reimbursement program. Columbus Water and Power will need to pay AECOM Technical Services, Inc.’s invoices and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
City Council approved an amendment establishing a $10 million budget authority in the municipal revolving loan fund, with local expenditures contingent on final loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority board.
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to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $10,000,000.00 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund for the contract. ($10,000,000.00)
Columbus City Council Dockets Feature Emergency Spending, Water Projects, and Zoning Hearings
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on Columbus City Council water projects on Oct. 19, 2026.
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Columbus City Council Dockets Feature Emergency Spending, Water Projects, and Zoning Hearings