MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers has created a new position in state government to coordinate the state’s efforts at combatting lead in drinking water. Evers on Monday signed an executive order in Kenosha creating the position within the state Department of Health Services. No one was immediately named to the post. The order calls for someone within the health department to be designated as coordinator of the state’s efforts to address lead poisoning prevention, treatment, removal, abatement and surveillance. Additionally, all state agencies are being ordered to work together with the new lead coordinator to address what Evers is calling “Wisconsin’s lead crisis.” Since 1996, more than 220,000 children all across Wisconsin have been identified as having a dangerous amount of lead in their body.
