Governor Walker Signs Leading on Lead Act into Law

MILWAUKEE – Governor Scott Walker signed the Leading on Lead Act (Senate Bill 48) today at the Mother Kathryn Daniels Center in Milwaukee with Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton and Senator Robert Cowles. The Leading on Lead Act makes funding tools available to local communities and property owners to address lead service line contamination and replacement.

“The health and safety of Wisconsin families is our top priority,” said Governor Walker. “Replacing lead service lines is vital to protecting Wisconsin residents from the dangers of lead in our drinking water. Thank you to both Senator Robert Cowles and Rep. Jeremy Theisfeldt for their leadership in writing this legislation; as a result of their efforts, this bill passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support in both the Senate and Assembly. With tools provided through the Leading on Lead Act, local governments will have the opportunity to act on this important public health issue.”

The Leading on Lead Act creates financial assistance programs by which public water utilities may provide grants or loans to property owners to assist in the replacement of a lead-containing water service lines. The bill allows local governments to address this issue on a tailored, community-by-community basis. This legislation passed both houses on a voice vote.

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.