This is a series of stories highlighting the health risk — particularly to children — of lead service lines, which deliver water from city water mains to about 70,000 homes in Milwaukee.
Disorganization hampers city effort to replace lead water service lines at child care centers
By Edgar Mendez
Although the City of Milwaukee promised more than a year ago to replace lead service lines at each of the city’s 346 licensed child care facilities, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service has found that only 146 have been replaced thus far, due to a combination of mismanagement, poor communication and unresponsive property owners..
Do you know a child who has lead poisoning? Help us by telling your story
By Jabril Faraj
Children and pregnant women are most at risk of long-term damage from lead exposure, and there is no safe level of lead.
Ald. Zielinski to propose creation of comprehensive lead poisoning plan
By Jabril Faraj
Community groups and other city leaders have called for a comprehensive plan to address lead exposure from all sources and Ald. Tony Zielinski said he will introduce legislation to create a task force to do just that.
City leaders call for comprehensive plan to address lead poisoning
By Jabril Faraj
Despite Health Department efforts to combat lead poisoning that date back decades, community leaders say a plan, and better communication, are necessary for the city to move forward on the issue.
Aldermen, activists call for independent review of Health Department
By Jabril Faraj
In the wake of revelations the Milwaukee Health Department may not have visited the homes of lead-poisoned children nor tested the water, aldermen and advocates are calling for an independent audit of the department.
Health Commissioner forced to resign in wake of “egregious public health failure”
By Jabril Faraj
Mayor Tom Barrett asked for Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker’s resignation in the wake of revelations that the families of children who were lead poisoned were not properly notified.
Lead-water resolution that would make Milwaukee national leader in limbo
By Jabril Faraj and Elliot Hughes
A resolution passed unanimously by the Common Council and signed by Mayor Barrett at the beginning of December puts Milwaukee on the cutting edge of national lead-water policy, but the Health Department said it does not have immediate plans to implement the recommendations.
Common Council votes to strengthen response to threat of lead exposure
By Jabril Faraj
The Common Council resolution states that women of childbearing age who live in homes with a lead service line are at risk from lead exposure and should use a filter, which the Milwaukee Health Department has never formally recommended.
Advocates continue push for stronger lead-water recommendations
By Jabril Faraj
As the Public Safety and Health Committee delays action on a resolution that would direct the city Health Department to deem women of childbearing age at risk for lead exposure, concerned community groups push for government to “get ahead of the science."
Health Department official: childhood lead poisoning a ‘public health crisis’
By Jabril Faraj
The Milwaukee Health Department is working to reduce childhood lead poisoning and inform the public of the risks, but residents and officials agree that more must be done.
Community leaders: public officials ignoring ‘public health crisis’
By Jabril Faraj
Despite the recent release of a City of Milwaukee report on lead contamination, community leaders are saying officials have not done enough to educate the public or allocate resources to address the issue.
City, residents group at odds over handling of lead water service lines
By Edgar Mendez
The city has taken several steps to address the issue of lead water service lines, but the Freshwater for Life Action Coalition, a group of concerned residents, says it’s not enough.
Residents warned about dangerous lead levels in drinking water
By Edgar Mendez
Representatives of Freshwater for Life Action Coalition (FLAC) urged residents attending a recent public meeting to purchase certified water filters to protect against lead-tainted drinking water.