February 2009

U.S. Water News Online

WAUSAU, Wis. — The city of Wausau is exploring whether to sell its water to communities up to 35 miles away through a new multimillion-dollar pipeline.

City public works director Joe Gehin says communities interested in the pipeline include Abbotsford, Colby, Marshfield, Spencer, Marathon and Edgar. None have made commitments yet.

Officials say the pipeline would cost between $20 million and $30 million and the money would come from the benefiting communities, grants or federal stimulus funds.

Gehin says Wausau must first study whether it has the pumping capacity to provide the water. The city would benefit by getting more customers, which could reduce the need for future rate hikes.