Alderman James Bohl, Jr.
, Common Council 5 th District
Aaron Szopinski, Office of Mayor Tom Barrett
A toxic, heavy metal found widely in the environment.
Used since ancient times due to its workability, low melting point,
and
resistance
Past to corrosion.
and current uses include:
Paint pigments
Water pipes, solder, fixtures
Fuel additives
Electronics
Lead-acid batteries
Projectiles
(PP 1-7 Referenced from Robert Thiboldeaux, PhD., Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services.)
Rate
of
> Rate of excretion,
due to accumulation
Health Impacts include:in bone.
uptak
e Neurological effects (Diminished IQ, Behavioral
issues)
Peripheral neuropathy
Renal system
Blood system/Increased blood pressure
The most serious environmental health threat to
young children in the U.S.
*
Interferes with normal brain development.
2-4 IQ point deficit for each microgram of
lead per deciliter of blood increase above
5 micrograms per deciliter.
*WI Dept. Health Services. 2008. Report of Childhood Lead Poisoning in Wisconsin. PPH 45109 (5/08)
* New England Journal of Medicine. 348;16 www.nejm.org April 17, 2003
70
(micrograms Pb/deciliter blood)
60
50
40
Perceived
g/dL
30 Level for
20 Blood
10 Poisoning
0
Year
1996 - 2006
More than 44,000 In 2016, 8.6% of By comparison,
state children Milwaukee Flint,
reported children Michigan reported
above acceptable screened for lead 5%
Reference Value had of children
fromOld lead paint reported high blood-lead screened
as the most significant
1996-2006.
cause of exposure.#
levels. in 2016 reported
This is down from elevated blood-lead
38%
# Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services levels.*
* Reuters/City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau
in 2003.*
Historically managed as a secondary source of exposure.
CDC claims 10-20% of collective U.S. lead contamination comes from drinking
water.
Many
That figure reaches
communities are now40-60% for attention
paying extra formula-fed babies.
to water as *
a source of exposure after Washington D.C. (2001) and more
recently Flint, MI (2014).
Lake Michigan water & city water mains are lead free. Issues arise with leaded
water-service
laterals
There and/or
are several with for
methods interior sources
managing lead inofwater,
leadbut
(flux,
full solder, pipes, brass fixtures).
removal is the only permanent solution.
*Study by Monty C. Dozier/Mark L McFarland, University of Texas.
Roughly 70k leaded service lines in the
city of Milwaukeemaybe more?
Lead laterals represent roughly 60-70%
of the lead in drinking water sources as
a composite average, though this can be
deceiving.
Concerns about the citys policy of
replacement of utility portion of erupted
water service line disrupting lead pipes
and dislodging lead flakes.
Interior Plumbing as a Source of Lead
Testing done in MPS schools showed 16% of the interior faucets or water sources to exceed
EPA safe levels for lead, even though not one school tested had a lead service lateral
(all were cast iron).
Galvanized Steel Pipes
Rusted interior plumbing holds lead in its rust for years and provides slow release of lead for
many yearseven after lead service line is replaced.
Galvanic Effect
Electrochemical process where presence of one metal increases corrosion of another in
presence of an electrolyte. Issue found where copper service lines/plumbing precedes
connected leaded lines/plumbing. This increases lead concentration leached into the water.
Representing the City of Milwaukee
Ald. James Ald. Cavalier
Bohl, Jr., Chair Johnson
Common Council, 5th Common Council,
District 2nd District
Bevan Baker Ghassan Korban
Commissioner of Health Commissioner of Public
Works
Carrie Lewis
Superintendent
Ald. Jose Perez
Common Council, 12th
TASKED WITH :
of Milwaukee District Exploring the problem of lead in the Citys drinking-water infrastructure.
Water Works
Investigating and making recommendations regarding additional ways to ensure
Representing the Private Sector long-term health and safety to Milwaukees drinking water.
Ben Gramling Dr. Patricia Provide final findings and policy recommendations to the Common Council.
Sixteenth Street McManus
Community Health Black Health Coalition of
Center Wisconsin
Washington DC & Flint, MI crises are unrelated to Milwaukees situation.
Water testing mandated by EPA is merely done to test the effectiveness of
corrosion control methods used by the water works.
Historic process of replacing utility side service repairs means that many in the
community could be left with copper lines before lead (Galvanic Effect).
With limited resourcesreplacement of service lines should be prioritized
around daycares and schools first. Water filters also prioritized for vulnerable
populations (includes expecting mothers along with young children).
Adequate flushing is the single greatest mass-community lead reduction
method other than complete replacement of exterior and interior plumbing sources.
EPA/CDC recommendation for flushing after 6 hours stagnancy is woefully inadequate and does not reflect the science of
lead leaching. Their standard is based upon a worst case lead or copper exposure period.
Policy of merely replacing service lines does not adequately address the issue of
lead exposure through water.
High attention level to lead in water complicates actual sources of lead and leads
to greater confusion surrounding the issues.
Blessing and curse of modern day social media.
Resources & attention diminished regarding lead paint & other sources.
A robust media campaign addressing lead in paint as well as in water, and urging lead
testing of young children is vital to stemming the severity of the lead poisoning issue.
Wisconsin state law is extremely rigid and does not currently provide enough
flexibility for local governments to fund massive capital projects in any reasonable
duration of time.
Prohibitions on local taxing sources and state imposed levy limits.
State law/PSC imposition from using water revenues to fund capital or health/safety expenditures.
Lead removal/remediation and mitigation (both for water and paint) will be a
long-term effort.
The Citys determination of
2001 to 2012. 8,000 water lines replaced.
City covered of cost for work up to $2,000 for private side
lead service lines may work (max $1,000 rebate).
not be fully accurate. That Average private reimbursement of $675.85 based upon $1,350 in average
number could be too low. private side replacement cost.
1951 date for service lines Work started in 2004.
reflects only city portion of City owned entire lineno public/private side.
service line and not private.
PSC/State law allowed city to use water revenues to pay for replacement.
Notch exists between 1951
and 1962 when lawful code Average cost was $9,000 when started, but reduced to $3,600 through
mandate on private side of innovated processes and economy of scale cost savings.
the line was enacted.
City Budget (2017 - )
$3.4 million for lead service lines replacement at 385 daycares
$2.8 million for 300 emergency service line replacements
Water Quality Chemist/Construction Supervisor Positions
Funding for filters
Free Community Filters/Reduced Cost Filters Through Community
Partnership with A.O. Smith
CC File 160742 from Dec. 13, 2016
Mandates the replacement of lead water-service lines under certain circumstances
Establishes a Special Assessment Policy for Private-side work
- Reimburse 2/3 cost up to $1,600 max for property owner.
10-year payment on special assessments at low interest rate
CC File 160964 - Ordinance mandating
annual testing of all water fixtures in
city-controlled charter schools.
CC File 161645 - Resolution calling
on state to mandate regular testing
for all schools and licensed daycares
statewide.
Provide adequate City resources, Urge the State of Wisconsin Use area universities as resources to
supplemented by resources from to provide greater funding to address the
foundations and corporations, to the City to eliminate sources lead-water issue.
ensure vulnerable populations have of lead & allow greater water-utility
access to lead-removing water filters flexibility to pay for lead water-service Support State legislative
certified to remove lead by line replacement. action requiring testing of
NSF/ANSI Standard 53. water in schools and daycares; or, in its
absence, explore city options for
Provide outreach to local healthcare mandatory testing
providers on the of water in city schools and daycares.
Educate residents regarding internal need for lead testing of
plumbing as a source infants and toddlers.
of lead.
Explore additional financial assistance Seek new partners and avenues to expand Pass City legislation to provide private-side
options for low-income homeowners public service information/announcements lead service line identification, removal and
replacement of the privately-owned on managing the potential risks relating special assessment cost-share criteria for
side of water-service lines, while to lead-contaminated water, with a special homes constructed between 1952 and 1962.
maintaining a balanced payment emphasis on vulnerable populations, and
program for most to ensure timely ensure the Citys ongoing public Seek to balance workforce development
removal of service lines. information campaign presents a balanced opportunities with timeliness and cost-
approach to all lead risks. containment efforts on the lead service line
removal program.
Contract for an outside review
of Milwaukee Water Works treatment
additives and corrosion-control methods.
