(The Center Square) – More than $273 million in federal funds will go to 86 municipalities in Wisconsin to improve drinking water in the state.
The funding is part of the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program and will be used for water infrastructure projects such as replacing lead service lines and removing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances from the drinking water.
The grants for projects include $30 million for lead service line replacements in Milwaukee, $14 million for the same in Watertown, $7 million for similar work in Kenosha and $5.5 million for line replacement in Manitowoc.
“Across Wisconsin, countless folks and families worry about harmful contaminants like PFAS and lead every time they turn on their tap—and that is a reality we have been working hard to change,” said Wisconsin Gov. Evers. “I’m grateful to Sen. Baldwin and the Biden-Harris Administration for securing these funds that will help reinforce our state’s water infrastructure and help us continue our work to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe water at home, school, work, and everywhere in between.”
There are currently more than 167,000 known lead service lines in the state. A final U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule asks that all the lead service lines be replaced by 2037.
Wisconsin has received over $330 million for water infrastructure under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“All Wisconsin homes, schools, and businesses should trust that the water coming out of their faucets is safe to drink, and these funds will help our families get that peace of mind,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin. “I’m grateful to work with state and local partners to remove lead pipes, address dangerous chemicals like PFAS, and deliver clean water to families across Wisconsin.”
The funds will be used to reimburse communities as costs are incurred with some of the funds coming as grants and some coming as low-interest infrastructure.