On the heels of an advocacy group calling for an investigation into Milwaukee's lead prevention program, a local family is sharing their story.
They say their 5-year-old son has been suffering effects from lead poisoning for the last couple years. The Al-Mujaahid family moved to their home in North Milwaukee in 2014 and that's when they say they were exposed to lead in their drinking water.
A few years later their son Shu'aib started experiencing difficulties with simple tasks for children his age. A pediatrician tested the young boy for lead and his level returned at 11.4. Anything above 5 is considered lead poisoning and no level is considered safe.
"Now knowing that the city has known about this for decades and are giving lip service or making statements about it's not the water it's the paint without even testing the water, just to me proves to be criminal," said Nazir Al-Mujaahid the boy's father.
Al-Mujaahid has said the city has offered to test his water several times, but it has not happened. The city of Milwaukee told TODAY'S TMJ4 that they have offered to test the water, but Al-Mujaahid had concerns about the city's testing methods. E-mail correspondence between the family and the city confirm that. As of Thursday night, the city reached out again and offered to test the water.
For discounted and free water filters, log on to the city'swebsite.
