Watertown, WI

The City of Watertown Water Utility would like to provide an update to the community on the new grant funding opportunity to replace lead service lines.

“WE GOT THE GRANT!”

On March 5, 2021, the City received confirmation that it will receive funding for a total of up to 111 homes that are within the 2020-2021 street reconstruction area, with the possibility of adding another 25 homes. Each home is eligible for grant funding of up to $5000. At this time, this funding is limited to those who were notified that it will be required to replace a lead lateral.

“In Watertown, there are approximately 1700 water lines containing lead between public and private water lines. The majority of these lines are services to homes built before 1950,” said Joe Lehner, Assistant Manager – Watertown Water and Wastewater Utility. “These particular homes are the area of concentration for this project, and they will receive free money if they have a confirmed lead line, and they opt in the program.”

Based on guidance from the EPA, the DNR has set limits for lead levels in drinking water, and it is deemed that the most effective way to protect public health is to remove lead from the ground. The Federal Government set aside 63 million dollars in free grant money for Wisconsin Municipalities to fund private (homeowner) lead service Line replacements.

“It is important to note that this grant funding is only guaranteed for 2021. Residents that received a letter are strongly encouraged to opt into the program by the deadline listed in the letter of April 21, 2021 at 3:00PM,” says Lehner.

Watertown submitted the application for funding in the Fall of 2020 by the deadline provided by the DNR. Unfortunately, Covid-19 delayed some of the processes to streamline funding for some of these projects. However, it is still early in the year and the City is confident that it can have these replacements finished by the end of the year. “We apologize for the short notice to those affected residents to respond back to us on such a limited timeframe,” says Lehner.

The City of Watertown Water Utility sent out a letter to residents in the 2020 – 2021 street reconstruction area of this new DNR grant funding opportunity to aid in the requirement to replace privately owned lead water lines. If you received a letter, you have a confirmed privately owned lead water lateral. Please send the form back and choose to (opt in) to the program to receive up to $5000 to replace the line. Per city ordinance 512-87, amended and adopted on November 2, 2020, it is required for homeowners to have privately owned lead laterals replaced within 36 months of notification from the Water Utility Department, or during a scheduled street reconstruction project. Please respond promptly as these funds are only guaranteed for 2021. If you elect to replace it after 2021, no grant funding is guaranteed to be available for this replacement, potentially leading to out of pocket costs for the homeowner. Please feel free to email us at wttnwater@ci.watertown.wi.us or call the Water Department at 920-262-4075 if you have any questions or concerns.

To learn more about your specific home’s pipe material and the health effects of lead, please visit the city website home page and click on the “Get the Lead out” link for more information.