Undercounting water | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of Feb. 5, 2026
The city’s water department has been working to replace water meters at residential homes. Why? City leaders believed they were undercounting water flows.
It turns out that was the case. Drinking Water Superintendent Scott Boers told the city’s Wausau Water Works Committee Tuesday that of the 2,744 meters replaced in 2025, 35% of them were reporting less water used than was actually the case.
That will be changing as the city continues its plan to swap out all the old water meters in a 10-year span. The oldest meter the city replaced dated back to 1974.
That means more revenue for the city, but for some people it might mean a surprise on their next water bill.
The new meters have a 20-year lifespan, officials say.
The city held a meeting to find out what neighborhood residents wanted to see developed at 1300 Cleveland Avenue. But residents were more concerned with the site’s environmental cleanup:
Financial Planner Stanley Pophal was indicted on wire fraud charges last August. But few outlets are reporting on the civil cases surrounding his business:
And, Marathon County made its new data portal live recently. But the real story is much bigger, The Wausonian found:
What else in Wausau?
Committee chooses RiverLife vendor: The city’s Parks and Recreation Committee Monday chose a new vendor for the concession stand at RiverLife Park. The committee chose Sawmill Adventure Park owner Dylan Alwin’s proposal for an ice cream stand. That proposal was chosen over Venado owner Juan Casarrubias’ proposal, which would have seen the spot become a more substantial business. Committee members said the proposal was exciting, but was a little too much for the small space. The concession stand had been run by Briq’s Soft Serve for a number of years before the business announced at the end of 2024 that it wouldn’t renew its lease.
City leaders unveil property portal: City leaders this week unveiled a new portal that allows the public to see city-owned properties available for purchase. Under the Economic Development section of the city’s website, clicking on available properties brings up a PDF map. Users can click on the very small numbers on the map to get complete information about the properties the city has available in its business campus.
Around the metro
No one injured in Weston house fire: None of the occupants of a Weston house that caught on fire Tuesday on Callon Avenue were injured, fire officials say. Firefighters from SAFER Fire District, which covers Rib Mountain and Weston, responded at 5:19 pm to the fire, which officials say started in the chimney and spread to the upstairs bedrooms. Firefighters battled the blaze for two hours. A firefighter was transported with a medical emergency from the scene, but officials say that person was not injured in the fire.
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Business
Fazoli’s will be torn down for Raising Canes restaurant: The Fazoli’s restaurant in Rib Mountain will be completely torn down to make way for the new Raising Canes restaurant, sources familiar with the construction bidding process say. Raising Canes announced last year that they would be moving into the spot that was occupied by Fazoli’s, much to the current occupants’ surprise. The franchise will not remodel the store but tear it down completely, Rib Mountain Community Development Director Jared Grande confirmed to The Wausonian. That project went out for bid earlier this year.
Entertainment
Mrs. Doubtfire comes to the Grand, Monk Botanical Gardens hosts a snowshoe event with wine, Brad Emanuel rocks The Garage and so much more this weekend in Your Wausome Weekend Guide.
Looking for kids/family events? Check out the full listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.
Sports
Boys basketball: D.C. Everest beat Wausau West Thursday to keep its status as the top Wausau area team. The Evergreens defeated West 70-52 to remain tied for second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference at 4-1. They’ll host first-place Marshfield Friday.
Girls basketball: D.C Everest defeated Wausau West Friday to keep its spot as the top Wausau area team. The Evergreens defeated the Warriors 41-29 Friday, keeping them in second place with a 5-2 record in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. They’ll head to Marshfield on Thursday.
Girls hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm moved to within one game of first place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference after a win over Black River Falls Tuesday. The Storm defeated Black River Falls 5-1, improving to a 5-1 record and second place just behind the Tigers. With three games left in the conference season, the Storm still have a chance to clinch the title in the first season girls hockey is included in the Wisconsin Valley Conference.
Boys hockey: Wausau West defeated SPASH Monday 4-2, tying them against a team that they’ve struggled to beat in recent years and ending the Panthers’ undefeated conference streak. Shea Jones opened the scoring for the Warriors in the second period, and after a powerplay goal from SPASH, the Warriors answered back with three straight goals to secure the win. Both teams are now tied at 7-1.
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