Waukesha utility hires 120Water to meet EPA lead-and-copper sampling requirements

The Waukesha Water Utility Commission on March 19 approved a professional services agreement with 120Water to help the utility comply with forthcoming lead-and-copper sampling and public-education mandates.

Kelly, speaking for utility staff, described the rule’s requirements and staff capacity limits: the EPA/DNR implementation requires sampling over a five-year cycle for elementary schools and licensed daycares, and the utility currently counts 56 such sites. "EPA wants you to do at least 20%, so it's covered within a 5 year cycle," Kelly said; staff estimated that 20% equates to 11–12 sites per year and that the proposed first-year contract cost of about $27,000 would cover sampling and public education components, or roughly $2,500 per site.

Kelly told commissioners the utility has sampling skills but not sufficient staff to collect 56 five-liter grab samples and manage the education program, so hiring a specialized firm for at least the first year would get the process started and could be added to the budget in later years if necessary. Commissioners noted the mandate is unfunded and discussed whether federal grants or DNR assistance would be available; staff said DNR enforces the rule and the EPA is not a direct source of funding.

Commissioners approved proceeding with the professional services agreement as proposed and asked staff to return with budget language for future years if continued vendor support is required. The commission also discussed potential in-house capacity for later years and the public-education materials that 120Water would prepare.