The Water Systems Manager for Manitowoc Public Utilities, Rob Michaelson, was in Washington D.C. over the weekend to attend the White House Summit on Accelerating Lead Pipe Replacement Resources.
The summit was held on Friday (January 27th), where local and federal leaders discussed ongoing efforts to remove lead from Manitowoc’s water system through coordinating funding programs and advocacy for its customers.
Following the meeting, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new initiative with the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities access funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for lead service line removal and replacement.
Part of that is the Biden-Harris Get the Lead Out Partnership, of which MPU and other state and local officials are a part.
In a written statement, the local utility said, “MPU recognizes the importance of removing lead service lines, but also understands the financial burden properties owners face in replacing their lead water service. Since 2017, MPU has actively applied for and received over $2 million dollars in principal forgiveness funds from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to assist over 680 Manitowoc properties in replacing their lead service line.”
