Northwoods Reporter

Senator Romaine Robert Quinn and Representative Chanz Green have expressed their disappointment following the Superior Common Council's decision to reject a resolution. The resolution aimed to allow Superior residents to benefit from funding designated for lead service line replacement.

"I am baffled that a majority of the members of the Common Council did not see fit to support legislation that would help their constituents replace lead service lines," stated Quinn. He emphasized that this setback would not deter his efforts to ensure Superior ratepayers have equal access to safe drinking water funds as other state residents.

Earlier in February, Quinn and Green introduced legislation intended to assist Superior’s water utility and its ratepayers in accessing funds allocated for replacing lead service lines. These funds are part of federal capitalization grants under the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP). However, current state law prohibits using these funds for principal forgiveness to private owners of community water systems.

Superior’s water utility is unique in Wisconsin as it is privately owned, preventing its residents from accessing financial benefits available to customers of other public drinking water providers in the state.

Green remarked, "I don’t understand the objection in making this funding available to replace lead pipes, but I remain undeterred in advancing legislation that will benefit homeowners in Superior. It’s simply a matter of fairness and common sense."

The proposed legislation by Quinn and Green seeks to amend state law, removing the prohibition so that residents in Superior can benefit from funding meant to offset some costs associated with service line replacement. This change aims to prevent these costs from being passed on through higher water rates.