At Current Pace, Wisconsin Utilities Could Have Lead Service Lines Replaced Over the Next Two Decades

Saturday, November 11th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

(By Margaret Faust, Wisconsin Public Radio) More of Wisconsin's lead service lines were removed or turned off in the last five years than in the previous two decades, according to a new report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

At the current pace, Wisconsin’s water utilities could replace all of their lead service lines over the next two decades, the report says. Lead author Tyler Byrnes said since local, state and federal officials have taken notice of the dangers of lead in drinking water, progress has been made.

"Between changes in policy to make replacing these things easier, the addition of federal funds and local funds to address these sorts of things, we can really start to make a dent in an infrastructure problem like this," Byrnes said.

The main source of lead poisoning is paint and dust, followed by water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead is particularly harmful to children as they are still developing.

Even low levels of lead in children's blood can result in behavior and learning problems, hearing problems and anemia.

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