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Wausau utility reports meter replacements, hiring changes and statewide wastewater award
Summary
Staff told the commission they have replaced 8,203 water meters to date (about half the system), are training newly hired staff to fill vacancies, and that the wastewater facility won a 2024 facility-of-the-year award from the state DNR.
Utility staff updated the Wausau Waterworks Commission on April 8 about ongoing meter replacements, workforce changes and an award for the wastewater facility.
Scott, utility staff, reported that the utility has replaced 8,203 meters and has roughly 7,700 remaining—“so, we're at around 50%,” he said. Staff explained many mechanical meters fail at low-flow rates and that failures are concentrated in low-flow tests; the utility is prioritizing replacements for meters that register zero usage or clearly failing accuracy checks.
On billing impacts, staff said some customers are seeing higher bills after meter replacement because older meters underreported low flows; staff indicated the Public Service Commission permits adjustments going back two years but that the utility has generally adjusted recent billing for affected customers for shorter periods.
On staffing, commissioners asked how the utility successfully filled several open positions. Staff said they revised job descriptions, hired less-experienced candidates and augmented training to match recruits’ learning levels. The utility also discussed retention as an ongoing priority.
Staff announced that Wausau Wastewater received a 2024 Facility of the Year award from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Ben and the wastewater team were recognized and staff said the award reflected work dating back to a 2016 facility planning and construction effort.
Ending: Staff said they will continue meter replacements, refine testing reports for upcoming months and maintain training and retention efforts for operations staff; no formal action was taken.
