Milwaukee's hidden lead crisis, areas test higher than Flint

As the mainstream media seems to have all but forgotten about the water crisis in Flint, MI, no one seems to even be aware of the lead crisis in Milwaukee.

This is not just a localized issue. Areas all over the "Rust Belt" are testing positive for lead contamination.

As Wisconsin Watch reported:

At least 176,000 so-called lead service lines connect older Wisconsin homes to the iron water mains that deliver municipal water, according to an estimate by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Milwaukee alone, where 60 percent of the state’s known lead-poisoned children live, has 70,000 lead service lines.

The regulations in effect to prevent lead contamination are antiquated at best. According to regulators they do not sample enough homes or test in enough neighborhoods. According to laws, even if a home tests positive for lead, if it is within limits, they do not have to replace them.

Lead poisoning causes a wide array of ailments from different forms of cancer, to infertilely, various forms of mental disorders and even death over time. Areas like Flint and Milwaukee are majority Black and other minorities which brings forth the racial current to this situation that can not be denied. One could argue that the lack of action to resolve this issue is a blatant attempt to poison and permanently handicap the next generation of Black and Brown babies.

The American Water Works Association estimated in 1990 that the U.S. water infrastructure had about 3.3 million lead service lines and 6.4 million connections made of lead, many of them installed well over 100 years ago. Wisconsin is one of nine states, all in the Midwest and Northeast, where they are particularly common.

In addition to Milwaukee, several other Wisconsin communities have a high percentage of lead service lines, including Wausau, Wauwatosa and Racine, according to the EPA.

Paul Biedrzycki, head of environmental health for the city of Milwaukee, made a great point that much of the lead contamination comes from water main lines, and the unregulated repair of them. It is cheaper for the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin to do these quick "patch" jobs on the water mains, rather than replace this toxic and crumbling infrastructure.

I urge everyone, especially those readers in the Midwest, to research exactly what is in that water coming from your tap. Is it safe to drink? Safe for your children to bathe in?

If you are aware of a water crisis that is not being covered, please contact us at The Rust Belt Tribune.

(Article by Jaimes Campbell)