Overview
The Public Service Commission (Commission) recognizes the important work of utilities across Wisconsin to remove lead from their water systems. This page provides PSC Annual Report summary data on the presence of lead service lines (LSL) throughout the state, information on the limited use of regulated customer revenues for the removal of private-side LSLs, and general resources for LSL replacement.
Wisconsin LSL Data
The link below provides an Excel spreadsheet summarizing the total number of utility-side and private-side LSLs for all regulated public water utilities in Wisconsin. The data is from the 2024 PSC Annual Reports.
Using Customer Rates for Private-side LSL Removal
The question of using customer rates for the removal of private-side LSLs is a complicated one. In most communities, this infrastructure is owned by the property owner and remediation is considered the customer's financial responsibility. However, many communities are investigating opportunities to use regulated customer revenues to help mitigate these private-side costs. The following information is offered to help communities understand past decisions made by the Commission. As communities assemble financing packages to address the removal of LSLs in their communities, they should be mindful of how different funding mechanisms may interact with Commission jurisdiction and approvals. Please contact the Commission with any questions specific to your community, but generally:
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Replacement of most utility-owned infrastructure containing lead, including mains, goosenecks, and service lines, generally does not require approval from the Commission.
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Activities conducted by municipalities outside of the utility, without using regulated customer revenues, generally do not require approval from the Commission.
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Utilities may set up a program to provide financial assistance to help customers replace customer-side LSLs. This utility financial assistance program requires Commission approval prior to commencing. See Wis. Stats. §§ 196.37, 196.372, and 196.20 (8).
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There may be limitations on the use of customer rates used to pay for private-side LSLs.
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It is always good practice to reach out to the Commission with any questions you may have.
Filing Requirements to Establish a Utility Financial Assistance Program
Utilities interested in providing financial assistance to customers who replace customer-side LSLs must:
Additional Commission Information on LSL Removal
As financing programs evolve at the state and federal level, the Commission is working to develop and update materials to assist communities. The following resources provide further information about the Commission's perspective on customer rates for private-side LSL removals:
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LSL Rate Recovery – FAP Implementation & Other Considerations – June 2026
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In this webinar, Commission staff discussed the Commission's recently issued decision regarding rate recovery for a Financial Assistance Program (FAP), described how it impacts FAP implementation, and outlined ways in which it influences considerations for the future cost recovery of utility private-side LSL replacement programs through rates.
- Webinar Recording
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Webinar Handout
- Using Customer Rates for Private-side LSL Removal: A PSC Perspective – June 2025
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In this webinar, Commission staff provide an overview of the history of using customer rates for private-side removal and introduce the funding concept.
- Webinar Recording
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Utility Financial Assistance Programs for Private Side LSL Removal – October 2025
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In this webinar, Commission staff discuss how these FAPs work, considerations in setting up a FAP, and the Commission approval process. A case study is also offered.
- Webinar Recording
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Webinar Handout
- Frequently asked questions
Additional LSL Replacement Resources