President Biden is set to announce $2.6 billion in funding to replace all lead pipes in the United States as part of a new EPA rule that will require lead pipes to be identified and replaced within 10 years using the new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. The EPA estimates that there are nine million homes in the U.S. with lead pipes, and the city of Milwaukee alone has 65,000 lead pipes that will cost an estimated $700 million to remove. This announcement comes as a vital step in addressing the dangers of lead contamination in drinking water, with EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasizing that there is no safe level of lead in drinking water.
The final rule will also require better lead testing requirements and a complete inventory of lead water pipes. The $2.6 billion funding is part of the $50 billion allocated from the 2021 infrastructure law for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Despite the potential for legal challenges, the administration believes that the ruling is within the EPA’s statutory authority. President Biden’s visit to Milwaukee is part of a series of stops in Wisconsin, highlighting the state’s importance in the political landscape as Democrats aim to maintain their foothold after flipping it in the 2020 election.
Lead contamination poses serious health risks, especially to children, with even low levels of lead exposure potentially causing intellectual impairment. Dr. Adam Blumenberg, a toxicology expert, emphasizes the importance of identifying and removing sources of lead exposure, pointing to the impact on children’s health and development. Deanna Branch, a mother and lead-poisoning awareness activist from Milwaukee, shares her personal experience of dealing with lead exposure in her home and the challenges her family faced in finding safe housing. The Branch family’s story underscores the urgency of addressing lead contamination in communities like Milwaukee.
Despite some progress in removing lead pipes, challenges remain for the Milwaukee community, including a shortage of safe housing and healthcare gaps. Branch highlights the need for more resources to support families affected by lead poisoning, including access to clinics and affordable housing. She also stresses the importance of removing the stigma associated with seeking help for lead exposure, advocating for clean drinking water as a basic human right. Branch’s advocacy efforts have helped to push for faster removal of lead pipes in Milwaukee, offering hope for a future free from lead contamination for her community and others facing similar challenges.
