MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett signed the ordinance authorizing the replacement of leaking, broken or emergency repair lead water service lines and creating a special assessment for lead water service lines on private properties this week.
The Milwaukee Common Council approved the ordinance with a 12-3 vote on December 13th.
Under the approved ordinance, Milwaukee Water Works will replace leaking or damaged lead service lines at eligible residential properties (1-4 units) and, using federal government monies administered through the state Department of Natural Resources, plans to replace lead service lines with copper at 385 licensed child cares and eight private schools in 2017 — with work set to begin in the spring.
“Minimizing exposure from lead in drinking water by assuring that proper water treatment is maintained is also a high priority. As we all know, this is what Flint did NOT do,” Barrett said.
The property owners’ share of the cost is estimated at around $1,600 — and can be paid over 10 years. It’ll average $16/month for each property.
There are approximately 300 leaks on lead service lines each year in Milwaukee, which is the approximate number covered in the 2017 plan.
