Community Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has been recognized at the prestigious P3 Awards for its EquiFlow Lead-Free Program which won Best Utilities Project.
This program is a transformative project focused on removing lead service lines, prioritizing those from underserved communities, and enhancing public health in Wausau, Wisconsin. This accolade reflects our commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development in the utilities sector—a testament to the hard work of our team, the strength of our partnerships, and the trust placed in us by the communities and clients we serve.
Lead contamination poses a significant health risk, especially to children, as it can lead to serious developmental and neurological issues. The EquiFlow Lead-Free Program directly addresses this challenge by leveraging federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace aging lead pipes, drastically reducing the risk of lead exposure in drinking water. By prioritizing public health and safety, this initiative ensures that residents of Wausau, especially in underserved areas, have access to clean and safe water—an essential element for a healthier community.
TheP3 Awards are globally recognized for honoring the best public-private partnership (P3) projects, teams, and institutions. We are honored to be counted among some of the most innovative projects from around the world, emerging as the winner based on the tangible impact of our project.
The P3 Awards judges singled out EquiFlow as "a groundbreaking P3 initiative, leveraging federal funding to drastically reduce lead contamination in Wausau." The panel highlighted the project’s innovative structure and financing model, which incorporates performance-based contracts and prioritizes local workforce development. They emphasized that these elements "not only expedite service delivery but also foster significant community and economic benefits." Additionally, the judges noted the project's replicability and potential to influence the industry on a national scale, calling it a model that could "set a precedent for similar infrastructure challenges." This recognition underscores the transformative impact of EquiFlow, and demonstrates CIP’s aptitude for designing and implementing sustainable and community-centered infrastructure solutions.
In addition, the EquiFlow program was recognized for its Social Impact. The program was short listed based on its holistic approach to community engagement, public health, and economic development. Through partnerships with local organizations such as the Hmong and Hispanic Communication Network (H2N) and the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS), the program ensures equitable outreach and participation among Wausau’s diverse communities. By fostering trust and building capacity, the EquiFlow program is not only delivering safe drinking water but also driving broader social and economic improvements.
This recognition underscores CIP’s ability to design and implement infrastructure projects using the Community-Based Public-Private Partnership (CBP3) model that prioritizes both community well-being and environmental responsibility. As a proven example for addressing critical infrastructure issues, the EquiFlow program stands as a blueprint for future initiatives across the country, with the potential to improve the lives of countless individuals in vulnerable communities.
We are immensely proud of this achievement and grateful to our partners and stakeholders, whose collaboration has been essential to the project’s success. Together, we are making meaningful strides toward a healthier, safer future, one community at a time.
At CIP, we remain dedicated to delivering projects that make a real difference in people’s lives. This award is not just a celebration of past successes but an inspiration for us to continue raising the bar in delivering innovative, impactful infrastructure solutions.
Thank you to the P3Awards committee for recognizing the importance of the EquiFlow Lead-Free Program. We look forward to building on this momentum and furthering our mission to provide safe, sustainable, and health-focused utilities for underserved communities.
About the EquiFlow Lead-Free Program
The EquiFlow Lead-Free Program is an innovative partnership between the City of Wausau and Community Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to ensure Wausau residents have access to safe, lead-free drinking water by replacing up to 8,000 lead service lines by 2028. Using the CBP3 delivery model established by the EPA, the EquiFlow Lead-Free program is focused on replacing lead service lines quickly and effectively while creating socioeconomic and community benefits, including maximizing local, small, and minority-business utilization.
