Wisconsin Utility to Receive Lead Line Replacement Funding

To help “Get the Lead Out” on both the private-side and public side service lines, the Green Bay Water Utility today announced it will receive $300,000 in funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. With the funding, the utility hopes to replace all lead pipes by Dec. 31, 2020.

These funds will be available to City of Green Bay residents who have private side lead services (lead pipes on their properties) to replace their lead services and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  City of Green Bay Ordinance 21.11 requires the replacement of all private-side lead water service lines within and connected to the Green Bay Water Utility (GBWU) system. This ordinance makes it that it is each affected property owner’s responsibility to replace any private-side lead service, and defines a private lead service as “the section of pipe located between the water meter inside the building and the shut off valve, which is typically located in the terrace.”

The City of Green Bay was the first community to complete a financial assistance agreement with the DNR for this funding, and is among the first to obtain approval for funding in the DNR program’s second – and final – year of funding.

“The funding is there, but when it’s gone, it’s gone, and property owners who have private-side lead services will still be held responsible for replacing their lead services by the City,” said Nancy Quirk, general manager of the Green Bay Water Utility. “By acting sooner than later, the customers who have lead services on their properties can ensure they benefit from these funds before they’re gone.”

In response, the utility has sent multiple letters to all customers who have private side lead services, advising them of the ordinance and the private side lead service replacement funding.

The process to be eligible for the private-side funding requires property owners to follow several steps, including securing three quotes for the private side replacement work from three prequalified contractors.

“We knew private-side lead service replacement would come at a significant cost,” said Quirk. “Not only that, we realized it would present a substantial financial hardship to many property owners because many (not all) of the affected properties are located in older and lower-income neighborhoods. That’s why we were so assertive in seeking ways to assist property owners with paying for something so important. I can’t urge property owners who have lead services to act sooner than later to secure these funds.”