Wisconsin Set to Receive Around $139 Million to Upgrade Drinking Water Infrastructure

Friday, April 14th, 2023 -- 9:01 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Wisconsin is set to receive around $139 million to upgrade drinking water infrastructure later this year, and more than half of that money will go toward replacing lead service lines.

According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is slated to receive the money in October as part of annual funding for the state’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program.

The money includes supplemental funding as part of $6 billion awarded nationwide through the bipartisan infrastructure law for projects to ensure safe drinking water. The program provides low-interest loans for communities and principal forgiveness, which the DNR said is essentially grant funding that doesn't have to be paid back.

The state typically receives around $20 million in base funding for the program from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to Jim Ritchie, director of the DNR’s Bureau of Community Financial Assistance.

The largest boost this year is funding for lead line replacement. Last year, Wisconsin received $48.3 million to replace lead lines. This year the state will get $81.2 million. "We're very excited about the additional funding and what it means for the communities and the water utilities in Wisconsin," Ritchie said.

The funding also includes $13 million for emerging contaminants like PFAS. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals widely used by industry since the 1940s. They’ve been used in everyday products like nonstick cookware and firefighting foam.

The chemicals don’t break down easily in the environment. Research shows high exposure to PFAS has been linked to kidney and testicular cancers, fertility issues, thyroid disease and reduced response to vaccines over time.

A growing number of communities statewide have detected PFAS in public wells, including Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Wausau. Ritchie expects to see more demand for financial assistance through the program this year.

In October 2022, communities submitted their intent to apply for more than $594 million to fund future projects for this year and beyond.

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