MILWAUKEE (AP) - Milwaukee’s mayor has signed an ordinance to begin replacing lead water service lines in the city - an effort that is expected to take decades to complete.
The city’s utility will start replacing lead pipes that deliver water from the street mains to homes in order to reduce exposure to the toxic metal. In the spring, the city will begin replacing lead service lines with copper at nearly 400 child care centers and eight private schools.
The Journal Sentinel (https://bit.ly/2h9nvIf ) says the ordinance signed by Mayor Tom Barrett Tuesday requires replacement of lead pipes immediately if there’s a leak or line failure. There are about 300 lead service line leaks in Milwaukee in a given year.
The city began a pilot program last month for distributing free lead filters, which is focused on low-income families with young children.
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