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River Falls utility presents water‑quality report and plans lead service‑line inventory
Summary
Water/wastewater superintendent Bradley Vic told the Utility Advisory Board the Consumer Confidence Report shows no current detections of lead, and the city must inventory an estimated 1,300–1,500 unknown service lines by July 1, 2027, under EPA and Wisconsin DNR rules.
River Falls’ water and wastewater superintendent, Bradley Vic, told the Municipal Utility Advisory Board on May 18 that the city’s annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) shows no current detection of lead in regular system sampling, but the utility must inventory service‑line materials for an estimated 1,300–1,500 customer connections and report the results to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by July 1, 2027.
“Without your continuing support, this 247 renewable energy source would not exist,” public commenter William Hansen said earlier in the meeting when praising the city’s hydroelectric production. Later, Bradley shifted the discussion to drinking water: he explained the CCR includes source information, well counts, contaminant test results, maximum contaminant levels, and any violations or corrective actions. He said the city’s published report is available in utility bills and on the city website.
On the lead‑service requirement, Bradley said the utility will physically inspect curb‑stop areas using a vacuum potholing method to determine whether the service line material is lead, galvanized, copper or plastic. He described the work as “minimalistic” excavation—roughly a three‑foot diameter hole to expose the service at the curb stop—and said crews are recording findings in the utility’s GIS for eventual submittal to state and federal regulators.
Bradley told the board that, to date, the utility is not aware of any lead service lines, and system sampling has returned “no detect” for lead. He also encouraged homeowners to arrange their own tap tests if they have concerns and said the city can point residents to testing labs.
On who pays for replacements, Bradley said the city’s responsibility ends at the curb stop: if the lead service is on the homeowner’s side of the stop the cost falls to the property owner; if it is on the utility’s side, the utility would be responsible. He added the EPA and Wisconsin DNR have set a window for inventory submission in 2027 and an expected timeframe for addressing service‑line replacements that stretches several years beyond that, and staff said they are monitoring state and federal funding sources that may offset homeowner costs.
The board did not take formal action on the inventory process at the meeting. The CCR and related guidance are available on the city’s utility page and were included in the packet provided to board members.
