A lead pipe in Menasha May 2, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A toxic metal could be lurking in the waters of some Oshkosh homes.
Lead can enter drinking water as a result of pipe corrosion. The city is now on a mission to remove all lead pipe fixtures.
The federal government is requiring Oshkosh’s Department of Public Works to create a database of lead service lines within the city by 2024.
“The city has about 21,000 service laterals that go from the public mains to private homes,” said Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works and Utilities General Manager for the city.
As of Wednesday, Oshkosh has around 5,600 public service laterals that are lead.
“On the private side we know there’s about 2,200 that are lead, but we have over almost 7,700 unknowns at this point in time,” said Gohde.
Which is why he says the city has been offering free inspections to residents.
“We really need to get rid of those unknowns, we need to confirm whether it’s lead or some other material that’s not considered lead, so that we can widdle that number down and hopefully have an accurate database,” said Gohde.
Shellie Mathe, manager with First Weber realtors in Oshkosh, says her team discloses with potential buyers that pipes may eventually have to get replaced, especially if the home was built before 1986.
“The person who is buying will tend to be a first-time home buyer with limited resources, so it’s not even feasible to replace all the pipes in the house,” said Mathe.
Oshkosh’s ultimate goal is to eventually eliminate all lead pipe fixtures.
“The city also has to replace the public side of its lead, there is no cost to the home owners for the public side,” said Gohde.
The cost of replacing pipes in a home is around $4,000 to $6,000. If lead is found in a home, Gohde says it’s documented and put into the data base.
“It does not trigger an automatic replacement at this point in time,” said Gohde. “Nothing has to happen until there’s an issue with the waterline where it requires repair.”
In 2022, money was obtained through the Wisconsin DNR’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. It was used to help offset the cost of replacing outdated pipes for home owners.
Through the grant program, residents can get 50% of the cost paid, to replace their lead service lines, or up to $2,000.
Gohde was asked if there was still money left over.
“That program is closed right now, no, there’s currently no additional funding or any financial assistance available for the private side,” said Gohde.
But he says the city currently has an application in, asking for more funding from the state and federal government.
If you need to get your pipes inspected, information on how to schedule a free appointment can be found by clicking here.
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