Wisconsin

RHINELANDER, Wis. - Several Northwoods communities are receiving funding toward safe and clean drinking water.

Municipalities struggle with having harmful contaminants in water, including lead and PFAS chemicals.

Milwaukee Health Department must improve its lead testing procedures

Milwaukee Health Dept. says kids should be tested for lead poisoning more often

Officials stress importance of wider testing, stronger enforcement against noncompliant landlords

By Nick Rommel

October 24, 2024

Denise Morris was living with her grandchildren in a 1910-built house on the North Side of Milwaukee when she got a flyer in the mail. It was about Habitat for Humanity’s lead abatement house repair program.

MILWAUKEE — Lead contamination in homes in the Milwaukee area is a significant issue that goes beyond just plumbing.

The city’s health department is intensifying its efforts to eliminate harmful lead, particularly in older homes where lead paint is common.

Lead paint remains a major concern in Milwaukee, with 88% of residential homes built before 1978 — the year lead paint was banned.

 Madison Lammert

Appleton Post-Crescent

“No amount of lead exposure is safe for a child,” Brian Weaver, DHS’ lead policy adviser, said in a news release. “Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect a child’s IQ, ability to pay attention and speech development.”