University of Chicago Harris Policy Labs completes study on Planning for Lead Service Line Replacement in Wisconsin

In 2021, under the auspices of the University of Chicago Harris Policy Labs program at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, a study was conducted to assist with planning for lead service line replacements in the State of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has between 150,000 and 200,000 lead service lines (LSLs) in its water supply systems, presenting a clear public health risk to residents throughout the state. However, previous and currently funded programs facilitated and administered by the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its Public Service Commission (PSC) can cover far less than half of the total costs of replacing these LSLs. To assist state policymakers in developing future programs and funding needed to replace remaining LSLs throughout the state, a team of graduate students from the Harris School of Public Policy and the Law School of the University of Chicago provided analysis and recommendations to the DNR and PSC as they plan for the future.

An overview of their study can be found here.