Montpelier Water Department Updates: VFD Replaced, 500 Lead Line Surveys Sent, Compliance Work Advances

From the Board of Public Works & Safety meeting on August 12, 2026

Water Superintendent Chase Perry delivered a wide-ranging update at the August 12 Board of Public Works meeting covering equipment repairs, regulatory compliance, and ongoing infrastructure work.

Lift station VFD replaced. The variable frequency drive at the main lift station has been swapped out and the pump is running properly. "It's been a long time coming," Perry said. Cooley's handled the work after repeated scheduling delays since May 2026.

Lead service line survey. The city has sent notifications to approximately 500 locations with unknown pipe material, asking homeowners to identify their service line material. Under federal regulations, unknown lines are treated as lead until verified. Perry hopes to identify many of these during the upcoming meter replacement project, when crews can visually inspect lines while swapping meters. A previous survey generated a "pretty good response."

Compliance and infrastructure. The clear well top has been painted, with walls next when conditions allow. The water tower was inspected on July 27, with results pending. Creek Run water and wastewater service installation is nearly complete. A new house on the 500 block of West Windsor Street needs a water tap requiring boring or cutting through the road — multiple contractors are being priced at roughly $2,000 for boring. Water quality testing for nitrates, THMs, and other contaminants is due by end of August. A company is coming August 17 to assess in-situ calibration of the master meter, which has never been calibrated. CSO meters are being recalibrated with adjusted set points. Sump pump and downspout disconnect letters have been sent to residents as part of combined sewer separation compliance required by IDEM's long-term control plan.

Source: YouTube transcript — Montpelier - Board of Public Works & Safety Meeting - August 12, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.