Dubuque program to remove lead pipes faces budget shortfall

A Dubuque program to remove 585 lead service lines still in operation from older homes faces at least a $1 million funding shortfall due to cost overruns, making it likely that fewer than 70% of the homes in the program will have pipes replaced without additional funding. The city-run program suffered cost overruns in two areas — the $2 million construction contract the City Council approved from JQ Construction of Waterloo, Iowa, was 14% over budget, or $154,000, and the amount of plumbing repairs inside the old homes came in $226,000 over budget. The estimate for the internal repairs was $96,000, or about $500 per home, but the repairs at each home ended up costing $2,500 on average. All but six of the homes required new internal plumbing. Given funding constraints, city officials cut back the program for 2025, completing lead pipe removals for only 135 homes instead of the planned 196 homes. The 61 houses left off this year’s project will be first on the list next year, but that also means 61 houses lower on the list will fall off and not have lead service lines removed.