The Wausau City Council has approved both a lead service line replacement ordinance and a funding plan to support the remaining work.
Under the ordinance, private-side connections to the city water system must be made of copper or another non-lead material.
Alder Michael Martens said the requirement is intended to move the last remaining properties toward replacement. He also said having an ordinance in place can help the city qualify when outside grant or loan funding becomes available.
Council members also approved gap financing for costs not covered by outside sources. The aim is to give homeowners replaced near the end of the program the same financial terms as those replaced earlier, including residents delayed by scheduling, location or census tract factors.
Wausau has replaced more than 3,500 lead service lines over the past three years, with about 2,900 still remaining. Project managers with Community Infrastructure Partners estimate the early start saved the city about $7 million before a federal EPA mandate took effect, as construction and material costs have risen.
