My favorite story of 2023: Milwaukee makes plans to replace lead service lines. Is there money to pay for it? | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Trisha Young
December 29, 2023
For my favorite story this year, I chose the article I wrote on Milwaukee’s plan to replace lead laterals.
This was a story that involved a tremendous amount of lifting, fact checking, editing and even breaking some news.
It was also my first in depth story as a reporter. I have to thank my since retired editor, Ricardo Pimentel, for helping me push through the sticky facts and information of the story.
The story called attention to the need for government departments to work together to ensure residents have clean drinking water.
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In working on this story, I found that the mayor’s office had a different, much shorter timeline to replace lead laterals than the Milwaukee Water Works original timeline.
This issue came down to funding; the lack of employees and contractors; and a lack of communication in city departments as well as a failure to keep the community informed.
The story also highlighted just how pervasive the issue of lead in the water is in Milwaukee. Lead causes all sorts of physical and mental health issues, especially in children.
It also affects Black and Brown communities the most, which is why I believe it’s one of the most important health issues confronting Milwaukee.
In writing this story, I was also able to connect to so many community members, organizations and civil service employees who are ultimately working toward the same, albeit, difficult goal: clean water for all.
It’s a difficult task to accomplish, but I see Milwaukee moving in the right direction.
The most recent win for Milwaukee residents happened this month, as the Milwaukee Common Council voted to eliminate all private costs to homeowners in replacing lead laterals, saving all participants $1,600 per home.
I’d like to thank Milwaukee Water Works, Get the Lead Out and every community member I spoke to in shaping this story.
Read the story here.