MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), today announced more than $402 million has been allocated for financial assistance through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to 106 municipalities to improve drinking water quality for Wisconsinites. The funding will help municipalities across the state construct needed water infrastructure projects, including replacing lead service lines and addressing emerging contaminants such as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with a special focus on small and disadvantaged communities. 

Area municipalities that will receive funds for projects include Monticello and Wiota. 

Monticello will receive money for the $1.6 million construction of Well #4, as well as to replace water mains along East Lake Avenue, which is estimated to cost nearly $2.8 million.

Wiota plans to upgrade Well/House #1, including controls and pump at a cost of $547,000.

There are more than 167,000 known lead service lines throughout the state, and this funding will help municipalities continue their efforts toward the goal of replacing the remaining lead service lines. Wisconsin has been a national leader in providing funding to replace lead service lines and was the first state to utilize SDWLP funds for this purpose. 

The money will be awarded to municipalities over the next year and disbursed as eligible costs are incurred. The funding comes from a combination of the DNR’s SDWLP ($276.7 million), Supplemental Drinking Water Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding ($24.9 million), Emerging Contaminant (PFAS) Drinking Water BIL funding ($26.6 million), and the Lead Service Line Replacement BIL Funding ($74.1 million). 

A preliminary funding list that will be finalized following a 30-day window for municipalities to request a reevaluation of their priority score is available online.

The SDWLP provides affordable financial assistance to municipalities throughout Wisconsin for drinking water infrastructure projects that protect and improve public health for current and future generations. Since the program began in 1998, the DNR and the Wisconsin Department of Administration have provided over $900 million in financial assistance to Wisconsin municipalities.