WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) -The city of Wausau still has about 4,000 lead water service lines left to replace at an estimated cost of $10,000 per line.
With grant funding covering only part of the cost through 2028, city leaders are looking at how to pay for the rest.
For the past three years, the city has been replacing lead water pipes with grant funding, but that funding can vary depending on different neighborhoods.
Back in August, city leaders discussed whether residents should have to pay for some of those replacements.
The amount of grant funding Wausau receives depends on the neighborhood — some areas qualify for 100% principal forgiveness, others receive 75%, while the rest of the city receives 50%.”We’re trying to take advantage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that came into place starting in 2024. And we’ve been doing really well with the principal forgiveness or the grant dollars with that. Unfortunately, along with that comes some loans,” Eric Lindman, Director of Public Works & Utilities said. “So far, the private residents, you know, on their own private property, on their own lead service lines haven’t had to pay anything.”
The city has worked in all the 100% areas and a majority of the 75% areas. As the city moves into neighborhoods with less grant money, the funding gap becomes larger. “And so the principal forgiveness we’re getting now and going into 2027 will not cover that full private side replacement,” Lindman said.
In September, the Finance Committee approved a plan for the city to take on a loan to help cover the cost. That plan is going to the city council for a final decision and consideration.
At the same time, the city is preparing an ordinance that would require property owners with lead service lines to replace them.
He says the ordinance will help establish financing plans and could allow more flexibility for the city to determine what funding may be used for private side lead replacements.” Because when we apply to the state for the federal funding we get additional award points for having an ordinance in place,” Lindman said. He says he hopes to see support from the council to complete the project while grant funding is available by the end of 2028.
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