[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477550,"mediaKeyId","5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b","parentId",5711619,"title","Wausau commission sets 4 ppt trigger for PFAS carbon change-outs, directs staff flexibility on timing","audioSeconds",953,"startMs",2555000,"endMs",3508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b&start=2555&end=3508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b/thumbnail_2555000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477550/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-commission-sets-4-ppt-trigger-for-PFAS-carbon-change-outs-directs-staff-flexibility-on-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477550-4cc2bedcf2f774ef9c8bc610830d7d4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935112&Signature=a63RtT23j-Tfnnx126Pj7t6U~vIH~8B~Xsk3sd2k22W~-t5aGzH7ecPAzzsdxS1Qtcs6eWqN4ez1cO8e~LOcLdFxAltY4ONLSpqhrrCeJZOtpAEnTeJ4sKMGmVygZx3hzmz--P8i1P2ShqSLr9Kmp-5AADJFLXn5AXxDKAiDEQgHNsU2WQ9S6FXsLzqhz3SeFL0hzaAcyZOk9e0fniGihFLxQ4~UWtYZe-OqGOsutVioqfdCY4XYQrL~nOt3Em~4NcpPjLqzJ1skm27QSquvxsXLfDNI22~iFJVyTmrDBRVcdhLbo0x8KZv7xBbWqtN37lgE9nM0O-WpweYJzS6CSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wausau, WI","date","2025-09-03T02:24:00.597Z","article","The Water Works Commission on Tuesday accepted staff recommendations to use 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS as the operational trigger for planning granular-activated carbon (GAC) change-outs and to give staff flexibility on timing to collect data and stage replacements economically.

Scott, the water operations supervisor, summarized regulatory context: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a 4 ppt level for PFOA and PFOS, and state agencies currently reference higher numeric levels in certain contexts. Scott told commissioners the commission's GAC lead-lag configuration provides a nondetect result when operating properly and that change-outs cost about $1 million per event. He said running the system toward the 4 ppt trigger will help staff collect data on breakthrough timing and schedule the most cost-effective change-outs.

An outside commenter, Mr. Robinson, who participates in state advisory work, advised the commission that the 4 ppt values for PFOA and PFOS remain embedded in federal proposals and that the EPA delayed the compliance date for many systems. \"The 4 parts per trillion has been embedded for PFOA and PFOS,\" Robinson said, noting the agency delayed the effective compliance date to give systems time to comply. Robinson described the city's lead-lag vessel approach for GAC and cautioned against lowering standards that could increase PFAS loading to wastewater treatment or biosolids.

Commissioner discussion acknowledged testing accuracy and seasonality factors that affect loading and breakthrough. Staff said they are currently testing monthly and that accuracy improves at and above the 4 ppt level; staff asked for discretion on timing to avoid, for example, undertaking a change-out during winter when logistics and costs are higher.

Commissioner Hadley moved to accept Scott's recommendation to operate the GAC system toward a 4 ppt trigger and to give staff flexibility on timing for change-outs; Commissioner Gellhar seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

The commission directed staff to continue monthly monitoring, use the 4 ppt trigger to inform operational decisions, and return with data or recommended change-out schedules as needed. Staff noted the city previously used ion-exchange resin at the old plant but that resin showed short service life for PFAS removal and that the current GAC system was installed to provide longer-term control.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wausau Water Works Meeting - 9/2/25","oneSentenceSummary","The commission accepted staff recommendations to operate the granular-activated carbon (GAC) system toward a 4 parts-per-trillion trigger for PFOA/PFOS to guide future change-outs and to collect operational data, while allowing staff latitude on exact timing and logistics.","taxTitle","Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4562,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477554,"Wausau commission approves sole-source purchase of magnesium hydroxide for wastewater treatment",71,2233000,2304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b&start=2233&end=2304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b/thumbnail_2233000.jpg","/articles/6477554/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-commission-approves-sole-source-purchase-of-magnesium-hydroxide-for-wastewater-treatment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477554-02ef1df0dde8f12b6fd7df50df5d3c57/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935112&Signature=Dt7qAzPJfcKuBfTYJiPZMlSy-Q6E4CzX0NjeGcPn~ZDcTvXwZFt6kKVKnq~6RlzwdQrD-LYvA5j~BWdzY3Ce-MT0qgvW5M7Cpj56m2WrloulPNfCzOv-XdWt9w8uqz0tieB09E2oYOfgr~3KiaOlsInQafRxezgvvyk4ZsRcDsW4VToNzUr0E~AdcYC3pgtV5Lqd7~aqTx-zrrp-W75M1ObT45kFxEQ6mEhKNbq-dOn2Ym0KeMCizrOxoBL15OD5ItFJ83stW0vcPA5Rr9nbgXEeBCcPYNO5WVNFn1fMlW0ajQmVl1CdgRM2aADzDdrloQkJ3TQXkUSYIMSnWMjBKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Water Works Commission approved a sole-source purchase Tuesday for magnesium hydroxide from Midwest Chemical and Equipment for use at the wastewater plant.

Ben, a plant operations staff member, recommended continuing with Midwest Chemical for the magnesium hydroxide supply. He explained the chemical \"is used to increase the alkalinity, makes the wastewater more stable, more treatable\" and that \"they're holding their pricing firm. After the first year, it'll raise a penny per pound more.\" Ben also told the commission the product's water-soluble formulation and the plant's current piping configuration have caused clogging in the past; switching to a different chemical now would create gelling issues and require further piping modifications and additional daily maintenance.

Commissioner Forrest moved to sole-source the magnesium hydroxide to Midwest Chemical; Commissioner Gellhar seconded the motion. The commission approved the sole-source purchase by voice vote.

Staff said Midwest's product is compatible with the plant's current piping layout and that switching chemicals would create additional operational burdens. The commission did not specify a contract length in the meeting minutes; staff will proceed with procurement consistent with the city's procurement policy for cooperative or sole-source purchases and provide contract details per normal purchasing procedures.","Commission approved a sole-source contract with Midwest Chemical for magnesium hydroxide after staff said the product's formulation and current piping configuration made switching suppliers impractical.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477557,"Wausau Water Works approves wage reclassification plan after removing two administrative positions for separate review",876,1328000,2204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b&start=1328&end=2204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b/thumbnail_1328000.jpg","/articles/6477557/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-Water-Works-approves-wage-reclassification-plan-after-removing-two-administrative-positions-for-separate-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477557-794088ba45d6480a1f274093f618836a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935112&Signature=bbpdjq5FIiZNEp5Nw40WkFZOWuL4vZEhcjUNr~7rg~EMahivF5b0qQ3IgNLgvgBmLLYmcXcuA5omavZ8QVFHBKV03RKC8V76TIrwVuRuyINNkEOyay8N9mMsYEjaRNv-fElNlidDKTLVYvcPE9NW-QO7jI6Ud-fBAptKYmjq~b49LU41tyrDQaC0HnCw3oc~mEWQ9u51WCGYS~LOmrjMGUOvVvjeAkkjxRFf0nQ2tf4liTWFAzkzK-hOKswz7dQ67kEeSNZiUQ2R-Bip9p1DuY1OXbLETDAGPLUrPRsaU2ajLIYe6c4Ik~tVaI~iLW5S5eSrryrSxo-xJndsReAfxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Water Works Commission voted Tuesday to adopt updated pay grades and wage recommendations for most utility positions, but amended the measure to remove two administrative assistant positions for separate review.

Commissioner Gellhar moved to approve the wage recommendations; Commissioner Hadley seconded. After discussion about internal equity and whether clerical positions should be reclassified, Commissioner Galhar moved an amendment to accept the pay changes \"with the exception of the admin highlighted in red.\" The amendment was seconded by Commissioner Hadley and approved by the commission.

HR Director Eric said the proposal was based on updated pay grades and comparisons to other utilities and American Water Works Association compensation surveys. \"This will definitely make us competitive, which will go a long ways with our recruitment and retention,\" Eric said, adding the changes are not intended to put the utility \"at the forefront\" of pay but to improve competitiveness.

HR analyst Miss Nowak reported she is conducting job-description reviews and that some administrative roles have evolved into higher-responsibility duties. \"I've been running an analysis on the level 2 which is going to be resplotted to a level 3 and the level 3 which is going to be resplotted to an analyst,\" Nowak told the commission.

Commissioners cited recruitment and retention concerns. One supervisor told the commission an offer for a qualified candidate was pending and the supervisor was waiting to see the wage recommendation outcome before making a formal offer. Several commissioners said the increases would help morale and retention.

Commissioner Yahart moved to approve the recommendation as amended (excluding the two administrative assistant positions). The motion was seconded and the commission voted to approve the wage changes as amended. Commissioners were told the overall impact to the utility budget is about 1 percent.

The two administrative assistant positions highlighted in red in the packet will be returned to the commission once the HR analysis and job-description work are complete.","The commission approved updated pay grades and wage recommendations for most utility positions after an amendment excluded two administrative assistant positions pending a separate job-analysis and reclassification review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477562,"Sustainability committee urges Wausau commission to advance solar-array plan; finance review to follow",468,263000,731000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b&start=263&end=731","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b/thumbnail_263000.jpg","/articles/6477562/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Sustainability-committee-urges-Wausau-commission-to-advance-solar-array-plan-finance-review-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477562-4bcb85ecdaa4d9132bc29bad9ef8b0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935112&Signature=XLb-TYD97-kxxDclsqJvEGY-uhO6l-Pjq6tuPIJ0FIN7EdhZEvr78t5bmAey~jFnRF58-SbljRDyZWAfDWGhMYbKT10LPepptsq-lagJ3UydV7-ZrEwnyjtsWKhxVd4TzGt5-8t3~08GIb1QGDX6JkIWIXm34pPheWqhPk-6p3W3EhjKNB0Q-SNVd2d7Yj6kIQmIXw~WVJjOsQkmB4-lzs~Zxzz6pZrL3Ms71LpvJwjPs-31wJ51xHV5GOZ9rdJPXlKn5FcQy6mKJfkId8c5FR1P~hUmUdeMDSeBs3K9Qs47PAX3Z0KyXHJCUHTCnSTzIdRoN9A3HdjeF1X7IZ95lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of Wausau's Sustainability and Energy Committee told the Water Works Commission on Tuesday that a proposed municipal solar array aligns with the city's greenhouse-gas reduction goals and has community backing.

Mary Clues, representing the committee, said she was involved in the packet materials and urged commissioners to scrutinize the project's financials, noting shifts in tax-credit availability and future electricity-price uncertainty. \"I still encourage you to look at the financials because everything I've been seeing, has been that electricity prices are going to be much higher than was very conservatively estimated for the financials in this project,\" Clues said. She added the committee gathered a community petition with about 179 signatures supporting the project.

Carrie Edmondson said the sustainability committee approved a support letter unanimously and reviewed funding and grant options before recommending approval.

Finance Director Groat and staff told the commission that the 2026 CIP recommendation currently funds engineering only; construction would follow in a later budget year. Groat said if the city wants to capture current tax credits, the finance committee may need to consider funding construction next year rather than deferring it. She also noted that if the city funds the project outside the utility it would be financed by the city's general obligation borrowing and ultimately paid by taxpayers; Groat additionally mentioned that PFAS settlement funds were a potential funding source the utility could consider.

Commissioners were advised the project will proceed through the city's budget and finance review. No final funding decision was made at the Water Works Commission meeting; staff will bring the engineering funding request forward to the finance committee during the budget process.

Commissioners and staff agreed that the committee's goals align with city policy encouraging local energy independence and greenhouse-gas reductions, but several members asked staff to revisit assumptions once federal tax-credit rules and financing timing are clearer.

The commission did not take a formal vote on project approval at the meeting; the engineering request is slated to be considered by the city's finance process.","Committee members told the Water Works Commission the proposed municipal solar array aligns with city greenhouse gas goals and drew community petition support; engineering funding is in the capital improvement plan and further discussion will move to the city's finance/budget process.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477568,"Wausau utility staff report penta cleanup work, multiple wastewater projects underway",1244,54000,1298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b&start=54&end=1298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711619-912e444c086a2f18540b6bb636153b9b/thumbnail_54000.jpg","/articles/6477568/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-utility-staff-report-penta-cleanup-work-multiple-wastewater-projects-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477568-d430fe0ef12a08b92642d0b5807f6fb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770935112&Signature=kxYWz1ygMY-6XX5DI27o6rwWb3LusUM9z6S0lyPGL0RVtoVw4Kp1wtptKYYXBhvPjwpQ1z6CCJc-uL4knLlHDs5wYGbgJh2rCCWsVrXWKkZbncjJ3gFMSw9ivzaPW6pQSbtMzLo-J-jLTFKaNAntY2942gbi4GgAdP-ChrpoVm4u4zZxlijr-FviooRA3dt3eMYkJPdd8Cs1a2bcswPC0WRoLCf36RuKRhUXFUymuxx08Yf9Go6fhS7ly5hl-HAv27rX8-JlMmgqAa7hRJTeiEkcPcl9eEhT71DCMwq-IhVA3cKQHxaHbYv90IlaBCbuokOCpuxN-1gL2SpOnXRLgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Wausau Water Works Commission heard an operations update Tuesday that included a summary of penta cleanup work in a sanitary sewer line and status reports on multiple wastewater projects.

Director Lindman told commissioners the Sewer Penta study and repairs addressed groundwater inflow through pipe joints. \"We did some chemical grouting on those. We retested that downstream manhole and that came back non detect,\" Lindman said, adding that lab detection limits varied by test and the lab provided an explanation to staff.

Lindman said part of the issue relates to the Waleco property on Thomas Street, where the property owner is extracting groundwater, running it through a treatment system and discharging the treated water to the city's sanitary system after removing penta. Staff confirmed penta levels are monitored under the plant's discharge permit on a monthly basis.

On capital work, staff reported the Washington Street siphon replacement is online with only punch-list items remaining; a retaining wall at that site will be reconstructed in coming weeks. The commission was told the Washington Street siphon work is funded in part by the city's tax increment district (TID). The Headworks screening project and the Cherry Street lift station project are both active and expected to continue through fall into next year.

Staff also noted that tours of the drinking water and wastewater facilities were held recently for commission members and council representatives. \"So I think those were good days,\" Lindman said. Commissioners were invited to raise any follow-up questions after reviewing materials provided with the meeting packet.

Less-critical operational notes in the staff report included ongoing punch-list work at the siphon site and planned retaining-wall reconstruction. No formal action was required from the commission on these updates during the meeting.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions; staff indicated they would provide additional information as requested.

Looking ahead, staff will continue project management of the Washington Street siphon, Cherry Street lift station and Headworks screening projects into the coming months.","City staff told the Water Works Commission that chemical grouting and coordination with a property cleanup removed detectable penta from a sanitary sewer line; members also received updates on the Washington Street siphon, Headworks screening and Cherry Street lift station projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wausau commission sets 4 ppt trigger for PFAS carbon change-outs, directs staff flexibility on timing

Wausau commission approves sole-source purchase of magnesium hydroxide for wastewater treatment

Wausau Water Works approves wage reclassification plan after removing two administrative positions for separate review

Sustainability committee urges Wausau commission to advance solar-array plan; finance review to follow

Wausau utility staff report penta cleanup work, multiple wastewater projects underway