Green Bay Has Federal Money To Remove Lead Pipes

Green Bay is the first Wisconsin city to get a half-million-dollar grant to help residents replace antiquated lead pipes.

The money comes from the federal government and is administered through the state Department of Natural Resources.

More than 160 homeowners will save money to replace lead water service lines going roughly from the curb to their basement. The grant will waive the homeowners’ share of around $3,500 dollars apiece.

Nancy Quirk, the General Manager of the Green Bay Water Utility, said the $500,000 grant is from a national safe drinking water loan program, which is administered by the DNR. Quirk said Green Bay got the paper work done first, adding, “our city is committed to getting the lead out. We were willing to work with the DNR as they developed the program and we were ready for the program to begin. I think that was why they leaned on us because we were ready to go.”

It will still cost the utility $5,000 per project to remove lead pipes.

Quirk said targeted properties were built between 1900 and the 1920s.

“Most people were not in those homes at that time,” she said. “So we’re helping to get that, if it is lead, get that out of the ground with minimal inconvenience to the property owner.”

Homeowners who are notified that they are eligible will have to hire a private contractor. Quirk said the Water Utility has a list of qualified providers.