Community leaders have formally organized and established the “Freshwater For Life Coalition.” The coalition was created to begin a campaign aimed at addressing the hazard of lead which threatens the health of Milwaukee families drinking water. The danger to the drinking water comes from lead service pipes that bring water into 70,000 homes, most of which are located in Milwaukee’s central city.

The coalition will be engaging in efforts that are designed to ultimately have all lead lateral service pipes removed from Milwaukee residential property.

Freshwater For Life Action Coalition (FLAC) will be organizing educational outreach, participating with other coalitions to alert Milwaukee residents of the hazard lead pipe laterals present to the health of families, especially children under 6 years of age.

The coalition also plans to:

• Partner with organizations to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for lead pipe lateral removal
• Participate in efforts to test the lead levels in the 70,000 homes that have been identified to have lead pipe laterals
• Participate in efforts to test children under the age of six that reside in the 70,000 homes that have been identified to have lead pipe laterals for elevated levels of lead

Members of the coalition include:

-Ms. Brenda Bell-White – Justice or Else Local Organizing Commitee (LOC)
-Student Min. William Muhammad – Justice or Else Local Organizing Commitee (LOC)
-Mr. Fred Royal: NAACP, Milwaukee Branch
-Rev. Willie Brisco – WISDOM
-Dr. Pat McManus – Black Health Coalition
-Ms. Laura Manriquez – Southside Advocates For A Better Environment (SAFE)
-Mr. Rodney Washington – Environmental Activist
-Mr. Chris Johnson – KINGFISHmke
-Mr. Robert Miranda – Wisconsin Spanish Journal