Chicago's Water Commissioner Resigns Ahead Of Lead Contamination Testing | Emergency Preparedness | Forums

well that is not a good sign

Following Monday's announcement that Chicago is preparing a water testing program to determine whether the city's pipes are partly responsible for problems with lead poisoning, Water Management commissioner Tom Powers has announced his resignation. Powers has so far served as Mayor Rahm Emanuel's sole Water Management commissioner, and he will be replaced by Barrett Murphy—a deputy who has worked for the city since his appointment by former Mayor Richard M. Daley.

“Over the last five years, Tom has overseen an historic investment in Chicago’s infrastructure that has helped to build a better Chicago and I thank him for his service to the city,” Emanuel said in a statement. The Sun-Times reported that Powers was Emanuel's frequent choice to head infrastructure projects because of his emphasis on working efficiently. It's possible that this emphasis on efficiency over scrutiny may have cost the city: Emanuel ambitiously tasked Powers with doubling water and sewer rebuilding rates over a four-year period. Powers followed through, overseeing the replacement of 320 miles of water main, 77 miles of sewer main, and the lining of 198 miles of existing sewers.

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