By Robert Miranda

Editor’s comment

Alderman Jose G. Perez might be working behind closed doors to address Milwaukee’s lead service lines (LSL) concerns, but on South 5th street in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point, Perez has been silent after I requested from him via telephone and a email communique, confirmation that he would  seek water testing of all restaurants in the area of south 5th streetfrom Virginia to 5th and Washington street.

According to the Milwaukee Water Works listing of known homes and commercial establishments with lead water service lines , restaurants along south 5th street, carry lead service lines using tap water to cook with and serve to customers during the street construction period

I have noted in various articles about that significant street excavation directly in front of a building could disturb the LSL. I find this to be true for the restaurants along south 5th street.

Perez and I spoke about the EPA study written by Miguel A. Del Toral, in which he address this concern regarding LSL disturbance during construction. I am providing the link to that study to you and the rest of your colleagues on the Common Council.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/lead-service-lines-study-20130723.pdf

The study by EPA Region 5 and the Chicago Department of Water Management looked into sampling protocols for lead in drinking water. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the method used by public water systems to monitor lead levels. EPA did the study as part of their effort to to revise the Lead and Copper Rule.

The study was conducted in Chicago, I feel its results may have implications for Milwaukee and other cities with lead service lines.

I brought this study to the attention of MWW Superintendent Carrie Lewis during a meeting with FLAC, her response was to question the science of the study, a response echoed by bureaucrats in Chicago after the study’s release.

The study found that:  The existing sampling protocol under the Lead and Copper Rule underestimates lead corrosion and lead levels in drinking water at sites with lead service lines.

– Sites with disturbed lead service lines had the highest lead levels.

– Sites with disturbed lead service lines and low water use may have high lead levels for years.

– The time required to flush water containing lead from taps is in many cases greater than the time recommended by EPA and other sources.

The findings of the study have been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Protocols for testing the water along south 5th street during construction have not been established from what I can gather.

I suggest that MWW move to test the water of these restaurants, if they have not done so already, to ensure lead spiking is not happening. I ask this to ensure these restaurants are not cooking with water heavy with lead. As we all  know, boiling water does not improve the lead risk, it makes it worse.