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| | 1. | | Call to Order
Minutes note:
The meeting was convened at 9:09 AM | | | |
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| | 2. | | Roll Call | | | |
Roll call
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| | 3. | | Discussion of the Charge of the Water Quality Task Force
Minutes note: The task of this body is to remediate the contamination of water that is in the home water systems. | | | |
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| | 4. | | Discussion on Water Filtration Systems
Minutes note: Ms. Lewis stated there is information on the WaterWorks website regarding home water filtration systems. | | | |
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| | 5. | | Lead Water Testing Conducted by the Milwaukee Water Works and Other Communities
Minutes note: Tea Norfolk - Legislative Reference Bureau stated Milwaukee qualitfies for reduced monitoring through the EPA, 50 homes are tested every 3 years. The water is tested after it has been sitting in the lead pipe for 6 hours. Homes that are suspected to have the most lead content are the tested.
Mr. Gramling stated there is a perception that the City is not testing frequently enough. He asked how residents can test their own water for lead.
Ms. Lewis stated the Lead and Copper Rule was created by the EPA in the 90's. She stated the Rule has a weakness because it only tests 1 liter which wouldn't include the service line. Water Works tests 12 liters of water instead of 1 liter. Residents are given a filter and education after a partial lead line replacement. There have been 2,000 samples from 185 homes tested. She added some residents do not cooperate because they do not want the results made public about their property.
Ald. Bohl stated sometimes lead flakes can be dislodged or disrupted and may not be caught during testing because it depends on the time between the dislodging and the testing. He asked if minimal testing be conducted of homes that do not have leaded service lines.
Ms. Lewis stated there can be adverse consequences for deviating from the EPA standard. She added information is available from Water Works and the Health Department for residents who want to test their water themselves at a commerical testing facility.
Mr. Baker stated the Health Department has been conducting lead testing for children since the 90's. The primary sources of lead in children come from lead paint. The Health Department is working with the State to address lead in childcare centers.
Ald. Bohl asked whether there is testing at school buldings in facilities, such as MPS, choice, and charter schools. Mr. Baker responded that MPS will be undergoing voluntary testing of their system. He added that he has received calls from non-MPS schools and he has referred them to commerical testing facilities.
Aaron Cadle - Legislative Reference Bureau stated MPS is not connected to lead service lines, but there is lead in their internal plumbing.
Ms. Lewis stated there is a different testing procedure for schools and MPS is compliant with that testing process.
Mr. Gramling raised the question of increased labrarory capacity for testing locally.
Mr. Baker stated the Health Department is working with UWM Zilber School of Public Health and School of Freshwater Sciences to test lead in soil. | | | |
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| | 6. | | Additives Used in Milwaukee Water
Minutes note: Aaron Cadle - Legislative Reference Bureau stated the following additives are in the drinking water ozone gas, chlorine, aluminum sulfate, orthophosphate phosphoric acid, hydrofluorisilicic acid (fluoride), and chloramine.
Ms. Lewis stated that the chemicals used to treat water are to remove the contaminants from water from Lake Michigan. She added that fluoride is added to prevent cavaties and water is made up of many different things and the addatives do not cause the lead to dissolve, not adding them to the water would cause the lead to dissolve. She stated that the Cryptosporidium outbreak and Flint, MI have changed the way people think about and treat water. | | | |
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| | 7. | | Cutting-edge Disinfectant Process
Minutes note: Tea Norfolk - Legislative Reference Bureau stated the following processes are used: ozone, chlorine halfway through, and chloramine.
Ms. Lewis stated surface water treament plants are required to disinfect water so it is disinfected through the extramities of the far distribution systems. | | | |
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| | 8. | | Report on Lead Sources in Humans
Minutes note: Tea Norfolk- Legislative Reference Bureau stated lead is introduced to the human body through ingestion or inhalation. 10-20% of lead contamination can come from drinking water and 40-60% for infants who are formula fed.
Mr. Gramling stated the organizational capacity and expertise surrounding lead have increased significantly in the last 20 years.
Mr. Baker stated 17,000 homes have been abated for lead, but 200,000 homes still need to be abating. We have an old housing stock and have spent over $50 million abating homes. This is going to take time and a comprehensive approach.
Ald. Johnson asked about how the consistent exposure to lead in a child can effect their learning ability.
Mr. Baker stated there are many cognitive issues that arise with exposure to lead. | | | |
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| | 9. | | Private Property Water Infrastructure With An Impact On Lead
Minutes note: Ald. Bohl stated lead pipes for interior plumbing, solder and fluxes, galvanized pipes, and old faucets can contribute to lead in drinking water. He added that just replacing the lead service lines won't solve the entire problem. | | | |
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| | 10. | | Set Date of Next Meeting(s)
Minutes note: The next meetings will occur on October 14th, November 11th, December 9th, and Janaury 6th. Ald. Johnson moved approval of the next meeting dates, seconded by Ald. Perez. There were no objections.
Public Comment:
Robert Miranda, Freshwater for Life Action Coalition stated they would like a moritorium on partial lead service line removal, they would like entire line replaced. He also requesting the Task Force look into partnering with organizations to provide bottled water to children.
Ms. Lewis responded that currently there is no partial lead service line replacement, unless there is an emergency. Home owners are given filters, information, and are encouraged to replace their service line at the same time as a replacement is occurring by the City.
Kimberly Thomas was a former DNR employee stated she is concerned about the dissemination of information. She believes something fishey is going on and believes it is a cost-saving measure.
Eva Sright stated her house is very old and she had yellow water at one point and received information regarding contaminated water. She added that she cannot afford to replace her pipes right now. | | | |
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| | 11. | | Adjournment
Minutes note: Mr. Baker moved, seconded by Ald. Perez to adjourn the meeting. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 11:39 AM. | | | |
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| | | | Items related to this Task Force can be found in the following file: | | | |
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160676
| 0 | | Communication | Communication related to the activities of the Water Quality Task Force. | | | |
Action details
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