Revere — The City Council on Feb. 20 approved a resolution and a $1,875,000 loan order authorizing Revere to participate in an MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority) program to replace lead service lines citywide.

Richard Viscay, chief financial officer, described the program as a 0% interest loan with up to 25% forgivable for eligible projects. Anthony Galizia, assistant superintendent for water and sewer, told the council the department had reduced the number of unknown services from 1,159 to 578 and lead services from 743 to 445 and said the new loan would help the city "expedite this process and get all the lead out of the city."

Councilors praised the work already completed and voted on two items: first the resolution supporting participation in the MWRA program and then the loan order. Both votes were recorded by roll call and passed unanimously (Councilor Jaramillo recorded as recused from one vote). The council’s action authorizes city staff to accept the MWRA financing and proceed with replacement work on public-side service lines from main to curb stop at no cost to homeowners when lead is found.

Why it matters: Replacing lead service lines reduces lead exposure risk in drinking water and has public health implications. The MWRA program offers favorable terms (0% loan, partial forgiveness) that the council said will allow Revere to accelerate remaining replacements.

What’s next: DPW/water and sewer staff will proceed with project bidding, replacements and restoration work per MWRA program rules. The program covers replacement from the main to the curb stop; interior plumbing remains the homeowner’s responsibility.

Quotes

"It is a 0 interest loan with up to 25% become forgivable... I strongly support" (Richard Viscay, CFO).

"We started with 1159 unknown services. We've gotten that number down to 578. We started with 743 lead services and we've gotten that number down to 445," said Anthony Galizia.

Ending: The loan order passed; city staff will continue the replacement program and notify affected homeowners when public-side lead services are identified and scheduled for replacement.