Wausau Mayor Discusses Lead Pipe Replacement

Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 -- 9:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg is back from her appearance at the White House for a panel discussion on lead service line removal.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, she says it's too soon to tell how quickly they can implement a plan to remove some eight thousand lead pipes remaining in the city, but they'd prefer to get it done sooner rather than later. "So, we're going to keep having those conversations. I feel like we're getting reception in Madison and now DC. So, that's the goal. Keep advocating for our city's water solutions."

She says the major hurdle is funding, as estimates show it could cost up to 80 million dollars to replace the remaining lead lines in the city. "So, we're hoping to come up with a better plan. Partner with the DNR.vAgain, I'm so glad the new DNR Secretary was there listening to both me an Mayor Johnson from Milwaukee about what we need from the state."

She says it's too soon to tell what the plan to replace lead service lines could cost homeowners, but she does want there to be some help in one form or another. "That's the goal. That's my goal. I want to make sure we're able to help people as much as we can."

She says it's too soon to tell what this will mean for homeowners in Wausau, as she'd like to secure as much assistance as possible so residents don't have to take on the bulk of the cost. "The first thing I did when I left the White House was make that one and half mile walk to Capital Hill to talk to folks in Senator Baldwin's office so we can continue that conversation."

The state of Wisconsin along with the cities of Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, and Wausau are all part of an initiative through the White House to accelerate lead pipe removal nationwide. President Biden has made it a priority to remove all remaining lead service lines nationwide by the end of this decade.

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