Milwaukee continues to address lead lateral and lead paint issues

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said on Monday that he is troubled by the ongoing lead crisis in the city, especially on the city's northside.

A number of daycare centers still have not had their lead service lines replaced.

The latest data released by the mayor's office shows that Milwaukee's 15th Aldermanic District, on the city's northside, is the hardest hit by the lead crisis.

Close to 30% of the children tested there have elevated blood lead levels.

In that neighborhood, 19 of 54 child care facilities have recently received lead service line replacements. There are also 23 additional facilities that are in the process scheduling work. There are also 11 child care centers with lead laterals that the health department has not yet been able to get in touch with regarding lead testing.

"We're continuing to try to reach them. Again I would say the priority remains those daycare centers. That is an area where we do have funding. It's federal funding so our priority has been making sure they don't have lead in their laterals," said Mayor Tom Barrett.

The Mayor also said that while lead laterals are part of the problem, lead paint is a larger concern.