Lead pipe replacement plan backed by council

A plan to replace lead water pipes on private property in the City of Port Washington, described by officials as an imperative public health initiative, moved one step closer to reality last week.

The Common Council approved a recommendation that the city split the cost of replacing these pipes with private property owners at an estimated cost of $4.8 million over 10 years.

“This is a first step public-health wise,” City Engineer Roger Strohm said, noting even small amounts of lead can cause serious health issues for residents and visitors.

Mayor Ted Neitzke said the move is a “big deal,” noting that many of the lead and galvanized steel pipes that will be replaced serve older houses, especially first-time homeowners, often with young children.

“I think this is fantastic,” he said.

Aldermen also got their first review of an ordinance that would implement the program. Although there was a motion to suspend the rules and allow the ordinance to be approved at the meeting, it was not approved by two-thirds of the aldermen, meaning the ordinance will come back to the Common Council for approval on Sept. 15.

“I agree with this ordinance,” Ald. Mike Gasper, who along with Ald. Mary Lou Mueller voted against expediting the approval, said. “I just don’t know if I’m comfortable fast-tracking this.”

The program calls for the city to replace about 640 lead service lines over the next 10 years at an annual cost of about $240,000.

Finance Director Mark Emanuelson noted that the city’s water department continues to assess water lines, and as that happens the number of service lines to be replaced may decrease.

Even if it doesn’t, he said, the water department has the funds to pay the city’s share of the cost.

“We’re ready to move forward,” he said. “We don’t see this program over 10 years being a substantial drain.”

The public assistance is a key element of the replacement program, Emanuelson said, noting it is needed “to encourage the participation of residents and ensure the safety of our water distribution system.”

The program would be mandatory, with homeowners required to participate when  a service line is repaired, the city replaces the water main or it undertakes a replacement program in the area.

By having the city contract for the work, it is expected that a better price can be negotiated due to the economies of scale, officials said, noting the estimated cost of replacing one service can reach $7,500.

Homeowners would be allowed to pay their share of the cost through a three-year special assessment.

The work would generally be done when roads are reconstructed, since water mains in the street are replaced then.

The program is expected to begin next year, but since none of the streets included in the 2027 replacement program have lead pipes in them, the project will kick off by replacing lines elsewhere in the community.

The Department of Natural Resources has recommended communities replace 10% of their lead pipes annually.