Number
160438
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HAMILTON, ALD. BOHL, AND ALD. PEREZ
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the creation of a Water Quality Task Force.
Analysis
This resolution creates a Water Quality Task Force to address the problem of the presence of lead in the City’s drinking water. The Task Force will be comprised of members of the Common Council, Department of Public Works, Health Department, the community, and the medical profession. All departments are directed to cooperate with the work of the Task Force. The Task Force is to run for two years from the effective date of the resolution and thereafter dissolve.
Body
Whereas, Safe drinking water for the City of Milwaukee is of utmost importance; and
Whereas, Milwaukee Water Works has not detected lead in its treated water or source water since it began annual testing for lead in 1996; and
Whereas, Most recent tests indicate Milwaukee water is in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lead regulations; and
Whereas, Milwaukee Water Works is a national leader in providing high quality, healthful drinking water and comprehensive water-quality monitoring; and
Whereas, Milwaukee is a national leader in producing high-quality water and water-quality monitoring; and
Whereas, The City has made major investments in water-quality monitoring and water-treatment infrastructure since the 1990s; and
Whereas, Milwaukee has made a commitment to be known as the global water hub, at the forefront of freshwater research and technology; and
Whereas, The infrastructure involved in delivering drinking water in the City includes privately-owned water service lines connecting homes to water mains, as well as interior plumbing in homes and buildings that may leach lead into the drinking water; and
Whereas, Some homes are at an increased risk for lead in drinking water due to characteristics of the plumbing at individual residences; and
Whereas, Consumption of lead poses a significant risk to public health and safety, with infants, young children, and pregnant women being at the greatest risk of complications from exposure to lead; and
Whereas, The City recognizes a need for taking a proactive approach to the assurance of public health; and
Whereas, Proactive efforts to mitigate the leaching of lead into drinking water include coating pipes by adding phosphate and other similar measures; and
Whereas, Other communities, such as Flint, Michigan, and Washington, D.C., have recently been placed in the national spotlight for their residents suffering from the effects of high levels of contaminants and unsafe drinking water, putting their citizenry at risk of public health crises; and
Whereas, The Common Council seeks additional ways to ensure long-term health and safety in the delivery of drinking water to Milwaukee residents; and now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that a Water Quality Task Force is created and shall consist of:
1. Three Common Council members appointed by the Common Council President.
2. The Superintendent of Milwaukee Water Works or the Superintendent’s designee.
3. The Commissioner of Public Works or the Commissioner’s designee.
4. The Commissioner of Health or the Commissioner’s designee.
5. One representative of the community appointed by the Common Council President.
6. One representative of the medical profession appointed by the Common Council President.
; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Water Quality Task Force is charged with exploring the problem of lead in the City’s drinking-water infrastructure; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Water Quality Task Force is charged with investigating and making recommendations regarding additional ways to ensure long-term health and safety of Milwaukee’s drinking water; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council President shall appoint the Chair of the Water Quality Task Force; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Water Quality Task Force staff is to be provided by the Office of the City Clerk; and be it
Further Resolved, That all departments are directed to cooperate with the work of the Water Quality Task Force; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Water Quality Task Force shall provide quarterly reports to the Common Council and report its final findings and recommendations to the Common Council no later than two years from the effective date of this resolution and thereafter be dissolved.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB165367-2
Tea Norfolk
07/26/2016