by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – Getting the lead out of water requires replacing the lead water service line and, in a typical Sheboygan home, that could cost $5,000 or more. The plan for paying that bill as designed by the Sheboygan Water Utility would involve assistance from the city, but the Wisconsin Public Service Commission had a legal concern with part of that plan that needs to be fixed before they could approve it.
The Water Utility planned to provide assistance in the form of grants for 50% of project costs up to $2500, and then cover the remainder through municipal assessments. The PSC said their concern involves the municipal assessments, but those concerns can be addressed by replacing the assessment portion with an in-house, six-year, no-interest loan. The rest of the program would remain the same, but local ordinance would still have to be modified to reflect that change after acceptance by the PSC.
The changes were approved and will be submitted to the PSC for approval.
