Lead Water Lines in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission drew attention to state legislation recently signed into law by Governor Scott Walker, which law is aimed at ensuring safe drinking water for state consumers. The new law is denominated the “Leading on Lead Act.”

The commission explained that through a collaborative effort involving water utilities, municipalities, local health departments, homeowners, and business leaders, the state has created a process to assist local communities in replacing their lead service lines. The adverse health effects of lead pipes were brought to the forefront during the crisis that engulfed Flint, Michigan’s water system from 2014 to 2017.

According to the Wisconsin commission, it is estimated that 113 of the state’s 578 drinking water utilities still have utility-owned service lines that contain lead. Under the process set forth in the Act for facilitating replacements of existing lead service lines, a public water utility may provide a grant or loan to a property owner, to help fund any necessary upgrades to or replacements of a customer’s lead-lined water service mains.