The City of Racine, Wisconsin, has announced the launch of the EquiFlow Lead-Free Racine Program (EquiFlow Racine), a landmark partnership with Community Infrastructure Partners (CIP) designed to replace an estimated 10,000 lead service lines (LSLs) over the next five years.
The initiative represents a comprehensive, community-focused investment in public health and infrastructure reliability, including the replacement of more than 50,000 linear feet (lf) of aging water mains, totaling approximately $130 million.
During the 2026 construction season, Racine is projected to complete more than 1,000 lead service line replacements, ramping up to several thousand annually as the city advances toward the elimination of all known remaining LSLs. To support this accelerated effort, the city has secured $40 million for lead service line replacement across 2026 and 2027 – including $22.5 million in grants and $17.5 million in low-interest 0.25% loans – along with an additional $9.5 million in 2026 for water main improvements ($1.6 million in grants and $7.9 million in loans).
Consistent with Racine’s commitment to protecting residents, growing the workforce, and investing in long-term sustainability, EquiFlow Racine prioritizes both public health outcomes and resident experience.
“When I ran for office, I promised that removing lead service lines would be a priority for our city,” said Cory Mason, Mayor of Racine. “Today, that promise is becoming reality. Through our partnership with CIP, we now have a clear, accountable five-year plan to eliminate all known remaining lead service lines. This $130 million investment protects public health, strengthens our infrastructure, and supports local jobs through the Racine Works Program and partnerships with LiUNA and other unions, ensuring the economic benefits stay right here in Racine.”
CIP was selected as the city’s partner based on its national experience delivering large-scale lead service line replacement programs that treat lead exposure as a public health issue first, not a conventional engineering project. The partnership emphasizes performance, accountability, and resident experience, ensuring progress is measured by the number of lead service lines replaced. Under the EquiFlow structure, CIP operates under a fixed-price, performance-based model.
“Communities across the country are facing the same challenge: funding exists, but the traditional ‘time-and-materials’ delivery model used by engineering companies inherently disincentivizes urgency,” said Shawn Kerachsky, President and CEO of CIP. “EquiFlow Racine is structured with a fixed price model where CIP doesn’t get paid until lines are replaced. We don’t get paid to show up. If we underperform and underdeliver, that is directly reflected in our overall compensation.”
“There is no known safe level of lead exposure,” Mason added. “Even low levels can have lasting health impacts, particularly for young children, pregnant individuals, and vulnerable adults. Replacing lead service lines removes a primary potential source of exposure while improving the reliability and resilience of Racine’s water system.”
Residents are encouraged to participate by verifying their service line material and registering for replacement when eligible. For program details, eligibility information, and updates, visit leadfreeracine.com.
About Community Infrastructure Partners
Community Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has reimagined how critical infrastructure programs are delivered by aligning strategy, execution, and accountability around measurable outcomes. CIP employs a performance-based delivery model designed to deliver infrastructure faster, at lower cost, and with greater transparency. The firm’s flagship initiative, EquiFlow Wausau, has removed more than 2,100 lead service lines in just 18 months—demonstrating how communities can accelerate progress while maintaining fiscal discipline and public trust. CIP is led by professionals with more than 40 years of collective experience implementing community infrastructure programs across the United States, with a focus on public health, resilience, and responsible stewardship of public funding. For more information, visit www.communityinfrastructurepartners.com.
Source: Community Infrastructure Partners
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