Common Council Alerts At-Risk Populations of Lead Risks After City of Milwaukee Health Department Fails to Notify Public
"If the public’s health is not the highest priority in this community, please tell me what is?"
In November of last year, the Common Council approved a lead transparency resolution (file 170131) directing the Milwaukee Health Department to issue a press release to inform newly defined “at-risk populations” of the risks of lead exposure through the city’s drinking water. The resolution was signed by the Mayor on December 6, 2017 but has not been acted upon.
Alderman Robert Donovan says the lack of action is unacceptable, “Failures at the Milwaukee Health Department and this administration have left vulnerable populations at risk.”
Women of child bearing ages of 15 to 45 years old, and children including infants and children up to the age 6, should drink water and eat foods prepared from only lead free sources.
Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II said, “We need a media advisory to warn the public about the hazards of lead and what people can do to protect their children.”
Women of child bearing ages of 15 to 45 years old, and children including infants and children up to the age 6, should drink water and eat foods prepared from only lead free sources. A water filter certified to remove lead should be used within homes with lead service laterals, lead pipes, and fixtures. Drinking water, and water used for cooking, food preparation, reconstituting juices, or infant formulas should always be from lead-free sources. A certified lead water filter including NSF/ANSI Standard 53 reduces residents’ risk of exposure. Previous instructions to “flush” or run water for several minutes before using are ineffective for protecting residents’ health.
Alderman Mark Borkowski says this issue has to be addressed, “If the public’s health is not the highest priority in this community, please tell me what is?”
Failure of the Milwaukee Health Department to issue a media advisory, combined with a failure from the Mayor’s Office to direct this legislation in the wake of the resignation of the Health Commissioner, requires the Common Council to take action to inform the public of their risks associated with lead in the water.
Alderman Tony Zielinski says the Common Council is stepping up to inform the public because the Health Department has not, “The Milwaukee Health Department lacks leadership and the Council is intent on notifying the public of health risks related to lead in the water in the absence of a Health Commissioner.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- Superintendent Jill Underly Proposes Lead Water Removal Program For Schools - Baylor Spears - Nov 15th, 2024
- Milwaukee Adopts New Policy Requesting More Lead Testing For Children - Nick Rommel - Oct 24th, 2024
- EPA Strengthens Standards to Protect Children from Exposure to Lead Paint Dust - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Oct 24th, 2024
- Baldwin Announces $86 Million for Clean and Safe Drinking Water in Wisconsin Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Oct 23rd, 2024
- DHS Encourages Wisconsinites to Take Action to Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Oct 21st, 2024
- DNR Says Wisconsin Could Meet New Rule To Replace All Lead Pipes in 10 Years - Trevor Hook - Oct 12th, 2024
- Biden Announces New Funds, Deadline For Lead Pipe Replacement - Sophie Bolich - Oct 8th, 2024
- Biden-Harris Administration Issues Final Rule Requiring Replacement of Lead Pipes Within 10 Years, Announces Funding to Provide Clean Water to Schools and Homes - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Oct 8th, 2024
- City Hall: Ahead of Biden Visit, Council, DPW Officials Question Efficacy of Replacing Lead Pipes - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 7th, 2024
- Baldwin Delivers Nearly $13 Million for Milwaukee and Kenosha to Remove Dangerous Lead Paint - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Oct 7th, 2024
Read more about Lead Crisis here
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