The City of Wausau, Wisconsin marked a milestone with the celebration of 1,000 lead service lines (LSL) replaced in just a little more than one year through its innovative EquiFlow Lead-Free Program.
The community-centric effort, delivered in partnership with Community Infrastructure Partners (CIP), has rapidly accelerated progress toward making Wausau one of the first mid-sized cities in the nation to eliminate lead service lines entirely.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers attended the event, underscoring the statewide and national significance of Wausau’s achievement. Speaking to local residents and community leaders, Evers praised Wausau’s leadership and the EquiFlow program as a model for how communities across Wisconsin and the country can tackle public health challenges while creating local jobs and saving taxpayer dollars.
“This innovative program frames lead service line replacement as a community health intervention. It’s not just an infrastructure issue, it’s about people’s health,” said Evers. “Everyone in Wisconsin should be able to trust the water coming out of their tap and should have access to safe, clean drinking water no matter where they live in our state, period. I’m incredibly proud of the strides taken here in Wausau to remove lead service lines.”
Prior to launching the EquiFlow Lead-Free Program, Wausau averaged 55 LSL replacements annually. Through the program’s community-first approach, that figure has skyrocketed, with more than 1,000 completed to date and over 2,000 replacements expected by the end of this year. The city remains firmly on track to achieve its ambitious goal of removing all 8,000+ lead service lines by 2028.
“This achievement is more than a number. It’s 1,000 families, 1,000 homes, and 1,000 cleaner and safer drinking water connections. And it’s just the beginning,” said Mayor Doug Diny. “Together we are tackling challenges that cities across the country are facing: getting lead out. We are proud to say that our city isn’t just responding to the current needs but preparing for future requirements.”
EquiFlow’s performance-based model has also delivered significant taxpayer savings. In its first year, the city and CIP completed 11% more replacements than contracted and saved taxpayers approximately $600,000 through competitive bidding and fixed-price contracting.
“This is unprecedented — not just for Wisconsin, but nationwide,” said Shawn Kerachsky, CEO and President of Community Infrastructure Partners. “Traditional lead service line programs are typically led by engineers or utilities, with a focus on construction, but that model often overlooks the hardest and most essential part of this work: earning the trust and participation of the community. EquiFlow flips that script. This is a community-first, public health-centered model designed not just to replace lead pipes—but to remove the barriers to clean water.”
The EquiFlow Lead-Free Program has been lauded for combining public health priorities with workforce development. Through partnerships with organizations like the Wisconsin Laborers (LIUNA), the program launched a comprehensive apprenticeship initiative, training residents for careers in the growing infrastructure sector. Five local residents have already completed pre-apprenticeship training and are starting to enter full-time roles with local contractors.
Wausau’s success has attracted attention nationwide as other cities look to replicate the EquiFlow model, which seamlessly integrates public health, community engagement, cost efficiency, and infrastructure delivery.
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