City of Wausau. MWC file graphic
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Water Works Commission introduced a first draft of a lead service line replacement ordinance during Tuesday’s meeting at City Hall, which Public Works Director Eric Lindman says will eventually be required one way or another.
“The new lead and copper rules are going to require that we have a specific plan in place for the total removal of all lead service lines within the city,” said Lindman. “Part of that is going to be a mandatory ordinance.”
According to the draft the city is looking to replace all lead and galvanized service lines in the city- both on city property and private property leading into homes and businesses. The measure currently calls for all residential or business lines to be replaced as the utility is replacing the pipes on its half. Lindman says that would also work the other way around with the utility replacing its portion of the waterline as the customers replace theirs.
Many residents are already being encouraged to do that as city streets and utilities are being reconstructed each summer with grant money from the DNR. The city has also asked residents to have their pipes swapped out voluntarily, but Lindman says that strategy has brought on a low participation rate.
Still, that doesn’t mean that the rule is going to come on quickly. Lindman says several details are still being worked out such as timing and what funding would be used. “It’s a draft ordinance for the commission to look at just so they could see how it would read. There are certain sections that still need revisions and the commission has quite a few decisions to make on how this will be presented.”
Those decisions include a plan to pay for the replacement and if the utility will offer up any funding to fill in gaps not covered by federal or state funds that have been made available for such projects. The timing of the replacement also remains in the air.
The ordinance in its current form includes a five-tiered system of replacement priority with schools and childcare facilities at the top followed by properties where a water sample shows a lead concentration of greater than 15 parts per billion. Properties where 20 or more people have access to drinking water sit third, and those where the water utility is replacing its side of the line are fourth.
The last group includes any other property not covered. The ordinance would also outlaw any new lead or galvanized lines from being connected to the utility.
He adds that residents shouldn’t see the ordinance as a final plan, but should be aware of the situation. “It is coming. There will be a mandatory ordinance, and we are going to be required to replace lead lines within the city. There are certain requirements that we have to meet.”
City leaders have also discussed using Wausau’s share of the ARPA funding to replace lead service lines, but that money has to be used by the end of 2024.
The seven-page draft can be found in Tuesday’s meeting packet, or attached to the PDF at the top of this story. Lindman expects it will be another 3-4 months before the proposal comes back for further discussion.
In the meantime, he says staff will be planning public information campaigns which could include inserts in quarterly water bills, mailers, and social media content to keep the public informed on the proposal.
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