GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Green Bay is weighing its options when it comes to replacing the remaining lead service lines in the city.
The Green Bay Water Utility has a goal of removing the city’s remaining lead pipes in the next five or six years.
But, with property owners on the hook for their portion of the pipe replacement, the city is looking at what it can do to help.
Green Bay Alderman Joe Moore says the cost to the homeowner could hit about $3-thousand.
“most of these are in verylow income and moderate income areas….it’s a heavy burden to put on somebody”
Moore wants the city to set aside $3 million of the $5.3 million from the excess Lambeau Field sales tax money.
“we’ve got stadium tax money, we can hit this head on and we can eliminate it”
Water utility officials say when the replacement happens, it’s important to replace the city and private portions of the service line at the same time. If it’s done separately, they say the risk of lead contamination rises.
The city is also in the process of drafting an ordinance, that if adopted would make it easier for private and city repairs to be done at the same time. Last month, the Green Bay Water Utility notified customers if they had lead pipes. Most were homes built before 1944.
The city is also looking at federal options. A staff member is in D-C today to talk about possible grants and loans.
