Milwaukee Officials Say Water Supply is Safe

"City, again: No sign of Crypto"

In the face of persistent rumors and an e-mail that is circulating among area residents, Milwaukee officials have scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference today to debunk rumors that the water system has been affected by the parasite Cryptosporidium.

City officials said again, just minutes ago, there have been no indications that the parasite or other disease-causing organisms have passed through the city's two treatment plants in the aftermath of the recent rainstorms.

"They have found nothing," said Patrick Curley, chief of staff to Mayor Tom Barrett.

He said Health Department officials are holding the news conference to address the rumors head on, because they have become so persistent. An e-mail circulating claims that hospitals and other agencies have been warned not to have their patients drink water processed by the city for fear of creating a panic.

Curley pointed to a statement issued Wednesday by the Milwaukee Water Works and Health Department, which he said still stands.

That statement said there have been no complaints of drinking-water quality problems or illnesses that might be linked to contaminated water.

Remember the Cryptosporidium in Milwaukee's drinking water in 1993?

I remember Mayor Norquist saying the water supply was safe when illness swept the city and stores were literally sold out of Pepto-Bismol.

I then remember Norquist addressing the issue of Milwaukee's contaminated drinking water. The water supply wasn't safe as previously reported. The water was the source of the illness.

Ah yes, I remember it well.
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This afternoon, Mayor Tom Barrett proved to city residents that Milwaukee's water is safe.

As cameras rolled, he took a drink from a bubbler.

He insists:

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett shot down all rumors that the city water system was polluted with Cryptosporidium, the parasite that killed some 100 people in 1993, then punctuated the point by taking a long drink from the water fountain from the lobby of the Municipal Building.

"Let me be absolutely clear," Barrett said. "Milwaukee drinking water is safe."

The mayor's office called a press conference after rumors circulated on the Internet that the city's drinking water was possibly contaminated.

I'm out of the loop. I haven't come across those rumors.

I think it's completely legitimate to be concerned about the safety of the drinking water supply, given the massive, unprecedented flooding.

Accordingly, it's important for Barrett to assure people that Milwaukee's water is safe.

I would like to see more video of him drinking from bubblers. Twice a day for the next few weeks at different locations around the city would be nice.