City of Schofield
SCHOFIELD, WI (WSAU) — The City of Schofield is applying for another round of Safe Drinking Water Loan Program funding to replace lead service lines in the city.
Mayor Kregg Hoehn says it’s part of an ongoing effort to get rid of the lead from the city’s water system, which can have negative health effects, especially in younger children.
“We’re trying to make money available to people in hopes that they’ll do it,” said Hoehn. “There’s advantages to being lead-free.”
He adds that the city has found the most efficient way to have those lines replaced is to do them in tandem with major street reconstruction projects.
“If you’re going to rip up the road in a number of other areas anyway, that’s the best time to do the service replacement,” he adds the city’s plan for the 2022 road reconstruction season isn’t set, but they are applying for the funding anyway. “If we can get the money set aside to do one big project next year, then this money comes for lead pipe removal, it’ll be there for those residents [along that road].”
Hoehn says it’s not clear what the city may have available for residents in the next year. Those who are interested in getting those lines replaced or finding more information on programs that are available to help offset the costs can contact the city’s public works office. Meanwhile, the Department of Natural Resources is taking public comment on the city’s most recent application for Safe Drinking Water Loan Program dollars through October 13th.
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