Wisconsin DNR: $11.8M available to help communities remove old lead service water lines

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is preparing to implement its plan to make $11.8 million available to municipalities to help remove old lead service lines that bring drinking water into homes.

Officials say the Lead Service Line Replacement Funding program is the first of its kind in the region. They say it reflects DNR's commitment to safe drinking water and addresses the financial barriers facing communities where lead service lines continue to deliver drinking water to residences, schools and licensed daycare centers. These service lines extend from the main street pipes owned by local utilities onto private property and into homes, schools and day care centers.

The DNR program takes advantage of a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that allows greater flexibility in allocating loan funds for water infrastructure projects. Through the state's Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, DNR now has the ability to provide disadvantaged municipalities with significant funding to help cover the costs of lead service line replacements on private property.

Homeowners are typically responsible for repair and replacement of service lines extending from the public right of way across their property and into the residence while municipal water utilities bear responsibility for replacing the main lines. However, many private property owners are unable to pay for the replacements, which average about $3,000 per home. Meanwhile, water utilities in Wisconsin are not allowed to use user rates to pay for work on private property, leaving a gap in the ability to get the lead service lines out.

Despite the cost, full replacement of lead service lines is recommended because a partial replacement can increase the amount of lead being released into the water.

To learn more about the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Intended Use Plan, visit dnr.wi.gov and search "environmental loans."