Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order 36 Relating to Measures to Abate and Prevent Lead Exposure in Drinking Water
"Lead poisoning is a statewide risk not just in Kenosha and Milwaukee, but in communities around the state."
KENOSHA — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order 36 to address the issue of lead exposure in drinking water. The governor was joined by Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Jeanne Ayers from Department of Health Services, Mark Melotik from Kenosha County Public Health Department, and Department of Natural Resources Secretary-designee Preston Cole.
According to the Department of Health Services, Wisconsin was among the top 10 states for the percentage of children found to be lead poisoned after blood lead level testing, with one in 13 Wisconsin children testing for dangerous levels of lead exposure. Lead poisoning has affected children in every county in Wisconsin. Since 1996, over 200,000 children have been identified as having dangerous amounts of lead in their body.
Executive Order 36 creates a position within the Department of Health Services to serve as the coordinator of the state’s efforts to address Wisconsin’s lead crisis through collaboration across state agencies and within the department. Executive Order 36 also directs DHS to provide all necessary staffing and resources to create collaboration among local health departments and community organizations to inform and protect Wisconsinites against the public health risks of lead poisoning.
“Lead poisoning is a statewide risk not just in Kenosha and Milwaukee, but in communities around the state. The Department of Health Services has identified lead-poisoned children in every single county in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “We know that it will take a collaborative effort to ensure that everyone is able to drink clean water from their tap, and I look forward to working with DHS and folks around the state to support this important step forward.”
View Executive Order 36 here.
Office of the Governor
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
- Baldwin, Reed Demand Written Answers from RFK, Jr. on Firings of Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Jun 11th, 2025
- MPS’s LaFollette School Cleared of Lead Risks After Stabilization Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Jun 11th, 2025
- Sen. Baldwin Hears From Parents About MPS Lead Crisis, Chides RFK Jr. - Evan Casey - Jun 9th, 2025
- Reps. Margaret Arney and Darrin Madison Urge Joint Finance Committee to Reinstate Essential Lead Abatement Funding - State Rep. Margaret Arney - Jun 5th, 2025
- Gov. Evers, DHS Continue Administration’s Efforts to Combat Lead Poisoning Statewide with Permanent Rule - Gov. Tony Evers - May 27th, 2025
- RFK Jr. Claims ‘Team’ Is In Milwaukee Helping With Lead Crisis, Health Department Can’t Find Them - Nick Rommel - May 22nd, 2025
- MPS Announces Starms Early Childhood Center Is Cleared of Lead Dangers - Milwaukee Public Schools - May 21st, 2025
- Milwaukee Has Removed 10,000 Lead Laterals - Graham Kilmer - May 13th, 2025
- New MPS Superintendent Cutting Central Office Jobs - Corrinne Hess - May 8th, 2025
- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Gov. Tony Evers
Gov. Evers, WHEDA Announce $2.5 Million Affordable Housing Loan Program Awards
Jun 19th, 2025 by Gov. Tony EversInvestment will support three affordable housing developments, more than 120 housing units statewide
New Study: Over 90 Percent of Wisconsinites Think Access to Affordable, High-Quality Child Care is a Problem, Majority Support State Investment to Fix It
Jun 19th, 2025 by Gov. Tony EversSurvey shows approximately half of households with young kids missed work in the past 12 months due to lack of child care, over 12 percent left workforce entirely
