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
- MPS Closing Three More Schools Due To Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 13th, 2025
- MPS Will Reopen School Shuttered Because of Lead Dust - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 12th, 2025
- Trowbridge Street School Won’t Reopen Monday, to Allow More Time for Deep Cleaning of Lead Dust - Milwaukee Public Schools - Mar 7th, 2025
- Health Department Will Investigate 10 More Schools For Lead Issues - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 7th, 2025
- MKE County: County Expands Lead Abatement For Low-Income Homes - Graham Kilmer - Mar 1st, 2025
- Health Department Shutters MPS School Over Lead Concerns - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 28th, 2025
- Health Department May Shut Down Some Milwaukee Schools With High Lead Levels - Evan Casey - Feb 24th, 2025
- Alderwoman Coggs introduces file to discuss MPS lead exposure issues - Ald. Milele Coggs - Feb 20th, 2025
- Gov. Evers’ biennial state budget prioritizes clean water, clean energy, and public lands for Wisconsin - Wisconsin Conservation Voters - Feb 18th, 2025
- Gov. Evers Announces Comprehensive Plan to Ensure Clean Water for Kids and Families in 2025 Year of the Kid - Gov. Tony Evers - Feb 18th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
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