Waukesha leaders raise a glass of Lake Michigan water ahead of massive water transition - WISN Milwaukee

Waukesha leaders raise a glass of Lake Michigan water ahead of massive water transition

Waukesha Water Utilities expects the city's switch from groundwater to Great Lakes water to begin as early as Sept. 14

Waukesha city leaders celebrated the near completion of their largest public works project ever with a toast of freshwater Thursday.

The freshwater from Lake Michigan via Milwaukee will soon come through Waukesha's faucets following a nearly $300 million project that took Waukesha more than 20 years to complete.

"My kids were six and two when it started. Now one is getting married, and one just graduated college," Waukesha Water Utilities General Manager Dan Duchniak said. "It is crazy how long it's been."

From receiving approval from eight states and two Canadian provinces, to placing miles of pipeline from Milwaukee to Waukesha and back, the switch from groundwater to fresh water is now just days away.

"We're estimating that it is going to be between somewhere between the 14th & the 18th," Duchniak added.

The transition is expected to take five days to complete for most customers.

During that time, residents may notice some changes to their water, but city officials say it will be temporary, and the water will be safe to consume.

"Why was this necessary," 12 News Hannah Hilyard asked Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly in a one-on-one interview.

"Our water was contaminated with naturally occurring radium," Reilly replied. "It was an issue that needed to be taken care of. And yes, it does cost more, but it is securing the future of Waukesha."

Waukesha Water Utilities said starting Oct. 1, residents' water bills will increase by $15 for the first year and another $15 for the second year.

The project's collaboration was on full display Thursday as Milwaukee's mayor, alongside Reilly, raised a glass to Great Lakes water.