Wausau utility staff report PFAS guidance, lead service-line progress and booster-station vandalism

Wausau Water Works Commission members heard updates Tuesday on federal PFAS guidance, progress on the city—s lead service-line replacement program, a vandalized booster station at Old Coach Lane and upcoming wastewater construction.

Commissioners were told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a highlighted memo and statement regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and the American Water Works Association has provided a response and review of that EPA statement. "I expect more details on that," a utility staff member said, noting the commission should see additional federal guidance and data before local implications are clear.

The commission was reminded that local monitoring remains at or below the four parts-per-trillion threshold for PFOS that staff identified as driving local sampling. Commissioner Robinson noted that the EPA is not modifying the four-parts-per-trillion level for PFOS at this time and that, based on other work, most sites with those two compounds also have additional PFAS compounds.

On lead service-line replacements, staff said the contractor—s work had been paused for about a week and a half because restoration work had fallen behind. Crews resumed replacements last week after catching up, and staff said they expect a milestone of about 1,000 service lines replaced possibly in June. "We do anticipate something maybe in June, that CIP will be planning, hitting kind of a milestone of a thousand LSLs replaced," a staff member said.

Commissioners were also briefed on a break-in and flooding at a booster station on Old Coach Lane. Staff described the suspects as young individuals who later turned themselves in and said initial inspection found damage was minimal after the station dried out. Staff estimated the damage could have been as much as $50,000. "Luckily, none of the pumps were on at the time when they flooded it," a utility operations staff member said, adding that the incident could have produced a fatal electric hazard.

Staff said upgrades to the supervisory control and data acquisition system, or SCADA, are planned and could include increased video capacity and additional cameras; commissioners suggested fencing and other physical security measures also be considered. Staff said intrusion alarms and motor sensors are tied to SCADA now, but response times mean a significant window for harm exists at remote sites.

On wastewater operations, commissioners heard that technicians obtained commercial driver—s licenses paid for by the utility and that a headworks screening project is scheduled to begin in June and continue through late summer 2026. Staff warned the headworks project will be disruptive. A separate Washington Street siphon replacement will close one lane of traffic for several weeks where the work occurs.

Commissioners asked about trends in suspended solids and phosphorus removal. Staff said the plant is meeting and exceeding effluent requirements, that phosphorus trading with stormwater is being explored but questions remain about internal trading mechanisms, and that moisture in biogas has limited the use of new boilers and may require modifications.

The commission requested that staff bring back security options and a damage report from the police investigation, and that staff provide timelines and notices around the expected 1,000-service-line milestone.