Brainerd Public Utilities, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health and Bolton & Menk, Inc., plan to complete a water service replacement project in 2026. The project is scheduled to start in January 2026, with construction phased between June – September 2026, and a project completion in Fall 2026. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are requiring communities to document all lead and galvanized water service lines in their system. It is also expected that these lead and galvanized services will need to be replaced over a 10-year span.
Communications will be going out to all properties who have been identified to either have lead or galvanized water service lines to their house or public lines adjacent to their property either through past construction, old records, or by visual inspection.
Brainerd Public Utilities has secured grant funding through the MDH to help remove lead and galvanized water service lines. This funding will cover all external costs of replacing water service within the public right-of-way and from the property line to the water meters within residential homes. If the water line needs to be replaced to your house, interior finished work such as woodwork, tiling, carpeting, drywall, painting, etc. is not expected to be covered by the grant. However, interior finished work is less common where water service lines enter a home. While this funding benefits residents, it must go through the public water system (Brainerd Public Utilities).
Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Lead Service Line Replacements Project. For additional information, check out the “What to Expect” section below.
The water service material going to your property has been identified as either lead or galvanized pipe by one of the following ways:
Currently, 52 water service replacements are scheduled to be included in this project.
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, interfere with the production of red blood cells and has been linked to lower IQ in children. Lead can be stored in the bones and released during pregnancy to the fetus, or later in life causing additional health problems.
Visit the following website to learn more about the effects of lead:
https://www.health.mn.gov/communities/environment/water/factsheet/letitrun_english.html
As of now, the State has funding available to cover the cost for replacing any identified lead or galvanized pipe. This funding is only available through your public water system (Brainerd Public Utilities). By participating in this project, your service will be replaced with all or much of the cost covered by grant dollars.
Sign and return the Water Service Line Replacement Agreement with your contact information on it.
Bolton & Menk will reach out to schedule a time to perform an onsite visit to inspect your property and answer any questions you may have regarding the replacement.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to require all lead and galvanized services to be replaced within a 10-year span. Minnesota has a statewide goal to identify and replace all lead service lines by 2033.
If you choose not to participate, you may be required to replace your lead or galvanized service at your own expense later when funding is no longer available.
Bolton & Menk will be working as the city’s resident project representative during the construction process. Additional contractors, plumbers, or electricians may be hired to help with construction.
The project consists of both public (city street) and private property replacement of the water service line.
If the water service lines leading up to your property is identified as being either lead or galvanized water service lines, we will replace the service lines into your home, up to the water meter. This project cannot address lead pipes after the meter. Any pipe replacement past the meter will be the property owner’s responsibility.
Yes, Bolton & Menk will not enter your home without you being present. These contractors will coordinate with you in advance of when your service is planned to be replaced.
No, only plumbing work required to replace the lead service pipe up to the water meter is permitted.
Each property will be unique, but generally the contractor will be using a trenchless method of service line installation to minimize the disruption to your property.
There will be occasional water shutdowns throughout this project. If your property is affected by a water shutdown, you will be notified at least one day before it occurs. These shutdowns usually take less than 4 hours.
Emergency shutdowns may occur as well. This would be an unplanned shutdown due to unforeseen circumstances. In these rare situations, notice will not be provided, and the contractor will work diligently to address the issue and get the water turned back on as soon as possible.
Overall, water shutdowns should be minimal on this project.
Yes, but outside disturbance will vary depending on the location of your service line.
Concrete sidewalks and driveways removed as part of the project will be replaced as part of the project.
Yards will be restored with salvaged topsoil and new sod. Any landscape pavers on private property that need to be disturbed will be salvaged and reinstalled as part of the project costs. Any landscape rock or mulch on private property that needs to be disturbed will be salvaged and reinstalled as part of the project cost. Any retaining walls on private property that need to be disturbed will be salvaged and reinstalled as part of the project cost.
Please let the contractor know of any buried private utilities such as dog fences and irrigation lines. Any dog fences and irrigation lines disturbed within the public right of way will be at the expense of the homeowner. Any dog fences and irrigation lines disturbed on private property will be fixed or replaced as part of the project cost.
Inside disturbances will also vary depending on the property, service line location, and finishes. In most situations the water services enter homes into an unfinished room in the basement or crawl space. Minimal disturbance will occur in this situation. The water service either enters through the foundation wall or comes up out of the floor. If the service comes up out of the unfinished floor. The contractor will cut an approximately 3′ by 3′ opening to run the new pipe through. This opening will be restored with concrete and covered as part of the project cost.
If carpet or other flooring is on top of the concrete floor where the water service enters through the floor, the contractor will replace the opening with concrete still as part of the project cost. The carpet or other flooring will need to be replaced by the property owner. Other installation methods will be reviewed in scenarios like this to reduce the amount of disturbance.
If the service comes through the foundation wall, the contractor will either remove the old service line and run the new 1” PE pipe through the opening, or they will come through the floor. Whatever provides the least amount of disturbance. Any costs related to restoration of drywall or finishings will not be included in this project. If this scenario occurs, the contractor will do their best to minimize disturbance. It will be up to the property owner to coordinate and pay for this type of restoration.
Please sign up for email updates and visit this site frequently to stay informed.
Updates regarding individual water service replacements will not take place from this website. Bolton & Menk will be reaching out to property owners individually when it comes to replacing your particular water service line.
In addition to the Frequently Asked Questions document, you may have additional questions on how this project will be constructed. Below outlines an estimated process that will take place from now until construction finishes.
Communication Outreach (January 2026)
Property Owner Coordination (February – March 2026)
Brainerd Public Utilities, Public Utilities Director
Paul Sandy, P.E.
[email protected]
(218) 829-8726
Bolton & Menk, Project Manager
Bryan Drown, P.E.
[email protected]
(218) 821-5242
