Wausau expects Nov. 26 closing on 2025 lead‑service‑line loan, DNR limits nonconstruction uses

The Wausau Waterworks Commission was told Oct. 7 that the city expects to close on a 2025 Wisconsin DNR loan for lead‑service‑line replacement on Nov. 26, but DNR officials are restricting use of loan funds for nonconstruction outreach and administrative activities, city staff said.

City staff said the restriction could affect the program’s outreach and right‑of‑entry work that helps crews reach private service connections. That outreach—by city contractors and utility staff—has been central to getting homeowner permission to replace lines.

"We're expected to close on the '25 loan on November 26," Eric, director of utilities, told the commission. He said the city had sought council support and sent a resolution and letters to state and federal offices asking the DNR not to restrict nonconstruction costs. "I did get acknowledgment from the EPA that they did receive the letter and they'll be reviewing it," he said.

Why it matters: the loan provides major borrowing to accelerate replacement of lead services; restrictions on nonconstruction funds could limit the city’s ability to pay for outreach and coordination that allow crews into private properties. The commission heard that the outreach effort has been unusually successful in Wausau, increasing access and reducing per‑unit installation costs compared with other cities.

City staff gave these program details and progress figures: construction is running behind schedule but the utility will bring in an additional crew and work as weather permits; the city expects to replace more services than anticipated this year. "Little over 1,600. I think we had proposed right around 1,500 for the year. So total then will be at about 2,300 by the end of this year," Eric said.

The utility also described a recent sanitary overflow that did not reach the Wisconsin River. Eric said the DNR issued a letter of noncompliance related to an overflow that "ended up in a retention pond in the DPW parking lot," and then issued a closure letter stating no further action was required. "All the waste that was collected was disposed in it properly at the wastewater treatment plant," he said.

Commission members and staff described outreach results as strong: "We're over 98% ... acceptance with a right of entry agreements," Eric said, describing contractor and staff work to secure homeowner permissions.

The commission did not take formal action on the item; staff said they expect the loan closing Nov. 26 and anticipated asking the city council for related approvals on Nov. 11.

Additional context provided to the commission included comparisons to larger cities (staff noted Wausau's per‑unit installation cost compared favorably to Milwaukee) and outreach steps including copies of letters sent to legislators and the governor's office.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to update the commission as the loan closing, council approvals and any responses from the DNR or EPA develop.