Posted inEnvironment, Failure at the Faucet, Health & Welfare

Bacteria in state’s drinking water is ‘public health crisis’

Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin residents are at risk of illness from waterborne pathogens in private and public drinking water supplies. Contamination by pathogens is of special concern because unlike pollution by metals or chemicals, pathogens can sicken people after just a single exposure.

Posted inFailure at the Faucet, Government, Health & Welfare, Water Watch Wisconsin

Lead in drinking water poses danger for children, pregnant women

Nearly 4,000 children in Wisconsin were diagnosed with elevated levels of lead in their blood in 2014, though the number has fallen over the years thanks in part to bans on lead in paint and gasoline. Unlike in Flint, Michigan, however, no one knows how much lead in the drinking water contributes to elevated blood lead levels in Wisconsin. There are no requirements to test the drinking water when a child is lead poisoned.