Wausau City Council rejects lead pipe removal ordinance

WAUSAU, WI (WSAU)  Wausau’s city council voted down an ordinance that would require property owners to remove and replace lead pipes.

There are federal mandates that require lead pipe removal over the next ten years. Tuesday the city voted not to accelerate the process.

There were concerns about shifting the removal costs onto homeowners. Currently, the city is paying for lead pipe removal at no cost. But the funding may not be sustainable. Additional state and federal funding may be available at a later date.

The council will discuss lead pipe removal later this year.