The City of Urbana’s ongoing exploratory digging program continues as crews work throughout the community to identify water service line materials and comply with federal drinking water regulations.
The city began the project on July 20, 2026, and work is expected to continue through the remainder of the month as crews move from neighborhood to neighborhood collecting information for the federally required water service line inventory. The initiative is intended to help ensure the safety and quality of Urbana’s drinking water while documenting the materials used in the city’s water system.
Not every property will require immediate work. Residents whose addresses are selected for exploratory digging receive an advance door hanger before crews arrive.
The ongoing process includes:
- Flagging the location of water service lines in streets or yards.
- Digging a small hole, commonly referred to as “potholing,” around the water shut-off valve on city-owned property in front of the residence.
- Verifying the material of the water service line.
City officials say the work is limited in scope and is designed to minimize disruption. After the inspection is complete, affected residents receive flushing instructions advising them to run their water to help maintain optimal water quality.
The City of Urbana encourages residents with questions about the ongoing exploratory digging program to contact the Water Division at (937) 652-4335 or email [email protected].
The project is part of a broader federal requirement for public water systems to document service line materials, helping communities identify aging infrastructure and support continued access to safe drinking water. As the inventory continues, crews will work in selected areas of Urbana until the required data collection is complete.
