Lead pipes in Marathon County, Wisconsin
How many lead pipes are in Marathon County, WI?
Water systems based in Marathon County reported 4,109 lead service lines, 91 galvanized lines that need replacing and 5,738 lines of unknown material to EPA (Q3 2026). Wausau has the most, with 3,580 lead and galvanized lines.
Free replacement program confirmed
Who pays in Wisconsin
Wisconsin lets each utility decide. Under a 2017 law, utilities can offer grants or loans to owners for the private side with Public Service Commission approval. The DNR gives municipalities principal forgiveness (money that does not have to be repaid) for private-side work, and since July 2025 state law also allows forgiving loans for lead line projects. Homeowners cannot apply to the DNR directly; the money flows through the city.
Confirmed programs in Marathon County
- Wausau: No up-front cost to owners.
Every Marathon County water system with lead lines
Systems are grouped by the county EPA lists as their main service area. Some serve towns in neighboring counties too.
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau Wausau Waterworks | 3,518 | 62 | 4,377 | Free replacement |
| Schofield Schofield Waterworks | 458 | 0 | 0 | Not confirmed |
| Athens Athens Waterworks | 71 | 8 | 27 | Not confirmed |
| Mosinee Mosinee Waterworks | 43 | 7 | 66 | Not confirmed |
| Rothschild Rothschild Waterworks | 14 | 14 | 862 | Not confirmed |
| Colby Colby Waterworks | 3 | 0 | 0 | Not confirmed |
| Marathon City Marathon City Waterworks | 2 | 0 | 406 | Not confirmed |
Common questions
How many lead pipes are in Marathon County, WI?
Water systems based in Marathon County reported 4,109 lead service lines, 91 galvanized lines that need replacing and 5,738 lines of unknown material to EPA (Q3 2026). Wausau has the most, with 3,580 lead and galvanized lines.
Who pays to replace lead service lines in Marathon County?
It depends on your water utility. Wisconsin lets each utility decide. We have confirmed programs for 1 Marathon County utility, listed on this page.
How do I find out if my house has a lead service line?
Look up your address on your water utility's service line inventory map, or check the pipe where it enters your home: lead is dull gray, soft, scratches to shiny silver, and a magnet won't stick. See our step-by-step guide.
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