Wausau, WI (October 12, 2023)– Today, Mayor Katie Rosenberg of Wausau, Wisconsin, announced a pioneering initiative that will revolutionize the effort to eliminate lead service lines (LSLs) across the nation. Building on her participation in the Vice President's Lead Pipe Summit earlier this year, Mayor Rosenberg is leading the charge to replace an estimated 8,000 LSLs in Wausau, Wisconsin, with an innovative Community-Based Public-Private Partnership (CBP3) approach, originally developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over ten years ago.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will serve as the cornerstone of this transformative endeavor. Unlike conventional LSL replacement programs, Wausau's approach involves a partnership between the public and private sectors to deliver infrastructure while prioritizing community-based benefits. This approach aims to generate superior results in terms of speed, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and equity.
Mayor Rosenberg expressed her excitement for this groundbreaking initiative, stating, "I am thrilled to announce that the City of Wausau is taking the lead in addressing the national crisis of lead service lines. By partnering with national and local experts, we are launching the country's first-ever CBP3 dedicated to LSL replacement. We are committed to bringing together the necessary resources for a monumental effort to safeguard our drinking water on an accelerated timeline.
"To lead this first-ever CBP3 to remove LSLs, the City of Wausau selected Community Infrastructure Partners (CIP). "In launching this groundbreaking CBP3 for LSL replacement, the City of Wausau, under the visionary leadership of Mayor Katie Rosenberg, is setting a profound example for our nation,” said Shawn Kerachsky, President and CEO of CIP. “Being a first mover in this transformative approach demonstrates Wausau's commitment to the health and well-being of its residents, as well as its dedication to addressing one of the most critical water infrastructure challenges we face as a country. This bold step sends a powerful message to communities nationwide that innovation, equity, and collaboration can drive meaningful change.”
The CBP3 team is a formidable alliance consisting of other renowned organizations, Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), Water Finance Exchange (WFX), LiUNA, 120Water, and Blue Conduit, and complemented by local small businesses such as H2N, Daar, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. This collaboration will expand as the program scales up, ensuring comprehensive expertise and support.
In addition to replacing LSLs, the City ofWausau is implementing key elements into its program:
A personalized engagement strategy led by H2N will ensure tailored outreach to diverse community members, including Hmong and.Hispanic groups.
Wausau's CBP3 delivery model will provide expertise and resources to Central Wisconsin, supporting neighboring communities, including tribal, agricultural, and small disadvantaged communities.
Collaboration withLIUNA's national training program will address contractor capacity issues, ensuring timely replacement of LSLs while supporting the local population's economic growth.
The CBP3 model will promote local economic development, benefiting businesses and residents in the greater Wausau and Marathon County region.
The Medical College of Wisconsin is a key partner, focusing on integrating community health-focused solutions into Wausau's LSL replacement program to ensure safe drinking water for all.
Mayor Rosenberg concluded by saying,"Our innovative delivery model through a CBP3 will set a new standard foraddressing the LSL crisis. I invite everyone to rally behind our city as weembark on this groundbreaking journey."
About Wausau, Wisconsin
The City of Wausau, located in Central Wisconsin, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for its residents through innovative approaches to community development and public service. With a rich history and diverse population, Wausau strives to lead the way in addressing critical issues such as lead service line replacement while fostering a vibrant and inclusive community.
About Community Infrastructure Partners
Community Infrastructure Partners has re-imagined the way infrastructure projects are developed by aligning strategy and execution with entrepreneurship and innovation. CIP employs a performance-based delivery model that is structured and implemented with a goal of delivering infrastructure better, faster, and cheaper. CIP is comprised of leaders with more than 40 years of collective experience developing and implementing community infrastructure programs across the country with a proven track record of delivering on promises related to communities’ resilience goals. For more information, please visit www.communityinfrastructurepartners.com.
