WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A representative from the White House will be in Wausau on Thursday to help mark the start of the push to remove all 8,000 lead service lines still in use in the city.
Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez will join Mayor Katie Rosenbergto mark the start of the effort, which will be watched closely by both state and federal officials as a possible nationwide blueprint to remove all lead pipes that are still in use nationwide.
“No person in this country should have to worry that the water from their tap will harm them or poison their kids or grandkids,” said Perez.
Perez praised Mayor Rosenberg for her efforts to put Wausau at the front of the line when it comes to that effort. “It’s an ambitious goal but I am confident we can do it. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Evers and Mayor Rosenberg [Wausau] is really at the front of the line here.”
All remaining lead service lines will be replaced in Wausau over five years at no cost to residents.
Perez also notes that the Biden Administration wants to replace all remaining lead service lines nationwide within the next decade. He says Wausau’s plan will likely be duplicated in other regions to help achieve that vision.
Perez and Rosenbergwill start their day with a tour of the city’s new drinking water treatment plant and participate in a roundtable discussion about the importance of clean water. After that, they will meet with a family that has recently had their lead service lines replaced.
Comments