MADISON, WI (MetroSource-WSAU) Governor Tony Evers wants to borrow millions of dollars to replace lead pipes in older neighborhoods across the state. The Department of Natural Resources and the state Ag department would borrow up to $70-million. The proposal will be part of Evers’ budget, to be presented to state lawmakers on February 28.
Evers, in an Associated Press interview, described that portion of his budget as an investment to improve water quality around the state. He did not say where the money to repay the loans would come from.
The Department of Natural Resources would be the lead agency on lead pipe replacement. They would bond up to $65-million, and create a fund that municipalities could draw upon. Local communities would have to fund half the cost of pipe replacement. Evers said another $5-million would be available to mitigate agricultural impacts on water quality. Evers suggested that the DNR may draw up new regulations for manure spreading for farms to prevent groundwater contamination.
Evers also said some of the water quality initiative would speed up stricter water quality standards for the Wisconsin, Milwaukee, St Croix, and Rock rivers.
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