ESCANABA — Following a public hearing, the Escanaba City Council approved a plan for water line replacements in the city.

The public hearing was a requirement for the city to qualify for money from the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund to help pay for line replacements required by the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The department has mandated that all water lines that are or formerly were downstream of lead are considered contaminated regardless of the amount of lead measurable in water. The lines must be replaced at the city’s expense to the meter inside homes and businesses.

The mandate means the city must replace 200 lines per year starting this year to meet the state’s 2020 deadline. Other issues in the water distribution system – much of which is more than 90 years old – will also need to be addressed.

The plan approved Thursday is broken into four phases. In Phase 1, approximately 1,500 service areas will be replaced on Ludington Street and the oldest areas of the city. Phase 2 will include approximately 1,500 services south of Ludington Street. Phase 3 includes approximately 1,000 service lines in the Northtown area. The final phase of the project includes areas in southwest Escanaba and remaining services in the newer portions of the city.

The entire project is expected to cost $20 million and the bond repayment loan for the project will be paid over 20 years.

In other business, the council:

– approved amendments to the city’s sign ordinance

– approved an annual $5,000 agreement with the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center

– approved the reduction in price of solar panels at the city’s solar facility from $407 to $399

– held a closed session meeting with the city’s attorney.