Steil joins EPA Administrator Wheeler to discuss federal efforts to reduce children's exposure to lead

Statement

Today, Bryan Steil joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler at Discovery World in Milwaukee for a roundtable discussion on reducing children's exposure to lead in drinking water. At the lab in Discovery World, Steil and Administrator Wheeler visited with students from Renaissance School in Racine.

"In 2019, we should not have to worry that kids in Wisconsin or elsewhere in this nation do not have clean drinking water. We must do more to protect kids. No child should be exposed to harmful chemicals in their water. Thank you to Administrator Wheeler and the EPA for bringing attention to this issue, especially in Southeast Wisconsin. We must continue working on proactive solutions to keep kids safe and healthy," said Steil.

"EPA's proposed update to the Lead and Copper Rule would institute first-ever requirements for community water systems to test school and child care facilities for lead in drinking water," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "From updating the Lead and Copper Rule to finalizing stronger lead-dust standards, the Trump Administration is taking significant steps to protect children, and it is important to hear directly from stakeholders, water systems, and state and local officials on how we can best work together to reduce childhood lead exposure."

Attendees of the roundtable included Congressman Glenn Grothman, Assistant Administrator for Water Dave Ross, Regional Administrator Cathy Stepp, doctors from the Wisconsin Environmental Health Network and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, members of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Environmental Health, and representatives from the City of Milwaukee Health Department, Milwaukee Water Works, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and the office of Senator Ron Johnson.

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