Milwaukee, WI – On Wednesday, August 16th, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee Water Works, and Employ Milwaukee held a press conference to highlight investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead pipes in Milwaukee.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $15 billion dedicated to lead service line replacement and $11.7 billion of general Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that can also be used for lead service line replacement.
At the press conference Mayor Johnson said the city is looking at replacement of all lead laterals in 20 years, he’s proposing a strategy by which streets on which even a single child is diagnosed with elevated levels would signal replacement of the entire block and as you’ve heard Employ Milwaukee plans to amp up training people of color.
The Freshwater For Life Action Coalition (FLAC) applaud Mayor Cavalier Johnson for moving away from the City’s initial proposal to remove 1,500 lead service lines in 60-70 years. However, FLAC calls the current proposal from Mayor Cavalier Johnson short and we call on Mayor Cavalier Johnson to follow the promise of the President of The United States, Joe Biden to remove these toxic lead laterals in 10-years or less.
“20-years condems another generation to lead-in-water poisoning. We demand that Mayor Johnson follow POTUS Biden promise to America. Lead pipes removed in 10-years or less. It was echoed by VP Harris when she visited Milwaukee a few days ago. FLAC – GTLO demands a plan that is 10-years or less”, said Robert Miranda, spokesperson for the Freshwater For Life Action Coalition.
