Common Council approves resolution to replace lead service lines

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Common Council is moving forward with a plan to tackle the city's lead lateral problem. 

The Common Council passed the resolution 15-0 to replace lead service lines throughout the city of Milwaukee. 

The resolution directs the Health Department and Department of Public Works to work together to create priorities for the lead service line replacements throughout the city and long-term strategies. 

The two departments will have to report to the Common Council quarterly so they know the progress. The city plans to replace 1,000 lead service lines this year and so far they have replaced 37 in 2019. Last year they replaced about 900 and in 2017, they replaced about 600. 

"There are over 70,000 lead laterals, service lines throughout the city of Milwaukee and it will take several years for us to replace them, but up until now, we have been dealing with it on an annual basis, year by year. I think the council by the passage of the resolution today is demonstrating today is that we need a long term plan on how we are going to approach this," said Alderwoman Milele Coggs - 6th District Milwaukee. 

Alderwoman Coggs says they will continue to look for other programs to help eradicate lead from the water lines in the city in the future.