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

“I’m trying to find ways to protect myself and the other people who live here,” said Zach Harmon, one of 15,000 people. West Allis person who receives a letter from the city. “If you receive a letter stating that lead or possible lead is present in your drinking water, you will be concerned.”

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The letters warn residents about the possibility of lead or unknown service lines in their homes. This is part of a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that requires water utilities to: warn residents Before work begins to replace the lines by 2027.

“We either confirmed that they used lead or galvanized steel, or we don’t know. And it was confirmed that we didn’t know,” Melinda Dejewski said. West Allis city ​​engineer.

The city said the letters were sent to people based on outdated records, so they are asking residents to test their pipes and notify the city in either case. They will then plan to replace them by 2027.

“We are looking at different funding options such as community grants,” Dejewski said. “Every property owner pays a portion of that.”

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“My question is what do we do from now until we get to the point of replacing the pipes?” he asked. “What is the city going to do about people with lead in their drinking water?”

As for the city’s recommendation, Dejewski said it would depend on the lead concentration. He said “appropriate steps” would be followed, such as filters and bottled water.

City officials said they came up with a plan through 2027, after which the EPA requires them to remove all service lines within 10 years.

Residents of other southeastern Wisconsin municipalities, including Racine and Wauwatosa, also received letters. Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee. More people may receive letters in the coming weeks.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services And US Environmental Protection Agency You can find more information about lead pollution on their website.