Wausau Water Works Commission Discusses Next Steps in Replacing Lead Service Lines

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 -- 8:01 AM

(Thomas Schumacher, WSAU) On Tuesday night, the Wausau Water Works Commission met to discuss the next steps in replacing the city’s lead service lines.

According to Thomas Schumacher with WSAU, Alderperson Lisa Rasmussen shared concerns regarding possible costs for the ratepayers. "This effort cannot fall on the backs of the rate payers. It just cannot. We're leveraged; we've built two new plants; we are looking at a huge rate increase, 65%; people are wildly angry about that."

The presenters from Community Infrastructure Partners also laid out what the project's goals will be over the next couple years. "So as we mentioned, 500 would just be year one. And then we ramp up significantly to replace all 8,000 lines in a 5-year period. I think the initial estimate in one of the inventory reports was over a 15-year period and would cost $80 million."

The state of Wisconsin is receiving $400 million to replace lines in cities all over the state. The current estimates say it will cost around $10,000 per home to complete the work. There was no action taken during the meeting, and further discussion on the subject is planned to continue over the coming weeks.

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