Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pewaukee public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues with critical priority
Great Lakes water diversion decision
The well-siting study confirmed there are no clean, viable places left to drill in the city. The council voted to point staff toward pursuing a Great Lakes water diversion — likely the biggest and most expensive project in city history — as the long-term fix for PFAS, radium, and supply problems.
Lake Michigan water supply
The city's wells face PFOS and radium contamination, and a new study narrows future well options to six sites — all deep wells needing radium treatment. The council must soon choose between drilling costly new wells or pursuing a Great Lakes diversion, a decision that drives sewer and water budgets for years.
Well #8 PFAS Treatment and Well #13 Replacement
The city is designing a PFAS treatment system for Well #8 — cost now $3.5 million, up from $2 million — and drilling a replacement deep well to retire contaminated wells. These will serve as emergency backup water supplies if the city pursues Lake Michigan diversion.
PFAS water contamination notice
Well #8 needs a $3.54 million treatment system — up from $2 million — and Well #12 also exceeds PFAS limits but may be abandoned and replaced with a new deep well instead. Nobody knows where the PFAS came from, and officials say tracking down the source should be DNR or EPA work, not the city's. Two other shallow wells show small detections.