There are an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 water customers in the city with lead lines, and alternatives include charging each customer several thousand dollars each to replace them, or to charge all water customers a small "compliance fee."
"So if we spread this over a larger number it becomes more manageable, but then it's a question of, is that the fairer thing to do, is that what the water utility wants to do moving forward. Those are questions for the city council."
Complicating the decision is the fact that most of the lead lines serve low and moderate income residents of East Moline.
State law requires the city to submit an inventory of lead lines, and a replacement plan, by the spring of next year (April, 2024). It will then have until 2044 to replace them.
