Platteville council delays deadline to finish private lead service line replacements to June 30, 2025

The Common Council of the City of Platteville voted Tuesday to amend section 7.04 of the municipal code, moving the deadline for private property lead service line replacements from Dec. 31, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

City staff explained the original ordinance, adopted in 2022, required replacement by year-end to allow required sampling before a September 2025 Wisconsin DNR deadline. City staff reported that the DNR has now notified the city it will not require orthophosphate treatment after sampling, but the city still must complete lead service line (LSL) removals.

City staff member Howard said 67 properties completed replacement this year and 43 properties had taken no action as of Nov. 22. Howard also told the council that new federal Davis-Bacon prevailing-wage rules will apply to LSL projects with applications submitted on or after Dec. 1, expanding previously applicable coverage from commercial to residential work and likely increasing homeowner costs.

Councilmember Tom Noll moved to approve the ordinance amendment; Councilmember Ken Killian seconded. The motion passed and the council recorded the outcome as approved.

Council discussion and staff comments clarified the city has completed its portion of replacements and that the new wage requirements will apply to private homeowners who still need replacements. Staff estimated Davis-Bacon compliance could increase project costs; Howard suggested a rough rule-of-thumb of about 30% higher costs for work requiring Davis-Bacon rates but said he did not have exact wage figures on hand.

The ordinance, as amended, postpones the municipal deadline to June 30, 2025. Council members asked staff to continue outreach to affected homeowners and to clarify Davis-Bacon rate ranges for trades likely to perform the work.

Records: ordinance amendment approved; council directed staff to notify affected property owners and provide further cost information.