(BROWN CITY) — A concern was voiced Monday night during the Brown City Council meeting regarding lead water lines leading to the same problems Flint is having with their water. Brown City Manager Clint Holmes stated that the EPA and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality require city water to be tested for lead and copper every 5-years. He noted that there is no lead in the water that the city pumps out of the ground and into the water distribution system. However, while water samples drawn from some homes and businesses in the city have no lead detected, others show extremely small amounts, possibly due to lead solder used in the plumbing. Holmes went on to say that the City may have a few remaining sections of pipes that have lead seals on the joints, but their exact location is unknown. Brown City has also not had the changes to its water that the city of Flint has and he said his answer would be a definite “no”–Brown City could not have the same situation as Flint.
In other business, Colleen Mitchell of Maple Valley Township was appointed to the Cemetery Board for a 5-year term, which expires on December 31, 2020. An additional member is still required. The Brown City DPW received a new backhoe earlier this month at a cost of $89,900. Two local residents have made bids on the old backhoe and its associated buckets. The council approved selling the city’s JCB Backhoe to the highest bidder for $16,250.
