West Allis Warnings for Potential Lead Exposure; what to know

WEST ALLIS, Wis. – Some West Allis residents are concerned about the safety of their drinking water after receiving a letter from the city about possible lead exposure through their service lines.

“Devising ways to protect myself and the other people who live here,” said Zach Harmon, one of the 15,000 people in West Allis who received a letter from the city. “If you get a letter saying there is lead or possible lead in your drinking water, you start to worry.”

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The letters warn residents of the possibility of lead or unknown service lines in their homes. It’s part of a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that requires water utilities to do this warn residents before work to replace the lines begins in 2027.

“We’ve confirmed that they either have lead or galvanized steel, or we don’t know. It’s confirmed that we don’t know,” Melinda Dejewski said. West Allis city ​​engineer.

The city said the letters were sent to people based on old data, so they are asking residents to test their pipes and notify the city anyway. They will then make a plan to replace them by 2027.

“Looking at different financing options, like community grants,” Dejewski said. “Every property owner paid for some of it.”

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“My question is, what are we going to do from now until the pipes are replaced?” Harmon asked. “What will the city do for the people who do have lead in their drinking water?”

As for the city’s recommendation, Dejewski said it depends on the lead concentration. She said there would be “appropriate steps,” things like filters and bottled water.

City officials said they are formulating a plan by 2027, after which the EPA will require them to remove all service lines within 10 years.

Residents of other communities in southeastern Wisconsin have also received letters – including in Racine, Wauwatosa, Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee. More letters may be received in the coming weeks.

The Wisconsin Department of Health and the US Environmental Protection Agency have more information about lead contamination on their website.