4-26-17 city of fdl looking for new contractor for mandatory lead pipe replacement effort

The city of Fond du Lac is exploring its options after a the low-bid contractor selected for a private lead water replacement program in Fond du lac backed out.   Public Works director Jordan Skiff says this latest development won’t affect the assessments of the first 148 homes required to have their pipes replaced this year.  “We found out the low bidder on the contract was not able to get a bond,”  Skiff told WFDL news.  “We are assessing our options at this point.  Wednesday there’s a public hearing scheduled for people to come in and talk about the assessment letter they got, and that will continue.”   Skiff says it remains to be seen if this latest development delays the start of the project, scheduled to begin at the end of May.  “Its a little too early to say, we’re looking at a number of different ways to try to adjust to unfortunately a very challenging situation now with this contract.”   Assessments on all but seven of the homes came in under $3000.  Property owners can hire their own plumber or participate in a cost share program in which the city pays 35 percent of the cost,  with a  cap of $1500.  Over a ten year payback plan, the cost would be about $200 a year.