Milwaukee Water Works proposes bigger 2026 budget to scale up lead service-line replacements

The Department of Administration presented the proposed 2026 Milwaukee Water Works budget as $216,900,988, a rise of about 11% from the 2025 adopted budget, with officials urging the committee to fund a sharply expanded lead service lateral program.

The budget analyst Shaquita Winters said, “The 2026 operating line is proposed at $104,723,830,” and that increase is driven largely by expanding the department’s lead service‑lateral replacement goal from 3,500 in 2025 to 5,000 replacements in 2026.

Why it matters: Water Works leaders told the Finance and Personnel Committee that meeting federal deadlines and federal rule changes makes the ramp‑up urgent. Officials said most private‑side replacement costs have been offset by federal principal‑forgiveness grants but warned that federal subsidy timelines and allocations remain uncertain.

Most important numbers and changes - Total proposed departmental budget: $216,900,988 (up ~11%). - Proposed operating budget: $104,723,830 (about a 21% increase vs. adopted 2025). - Proposed capital: $49,290,000 (down ~2%). - Salaries and positions:…