Article Summary –
The mayors of Milwaukee, Detroit, and Chicago have joined the Great Lakes Lead Pipes Partnership, an initiative aimed at accelerating the replacement of lead water pipes in the Great Lakes region. The announcement was made at a White House summit where the Biden administration also announced a national partnership to protect freshwater resources. The partnership is part of the Biden-Harris Get the Lead Out Partnership and President Biden’s goal to replace all lead service lines in the U.S. within a decade, supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which allocates more than $26 billion for line replacement and safe drinking water funds.
Great Lakes cities join forces for lead pipe replacement initiative
The mayors of Milwaukee, Detroit, and Chicago announced their cities’ collaboration with the Great Lakes Lead Pipes Partnership at a White House summit. This initiative aims to speed up the replacement of lead pipes, promoting safer water delivery in the Great Lakes region.
Participation in the partnership allows these cities to share their progress and learn from each other’s experiences, as stated by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Detroit has already replaced over 5,000 lead pipes this year, with Mayor Mike Duggan emphasizing the importance of this coalition in securing more federal funds to expedite the process.
Despite being widely used historically, lead pipes pose serious health risks due to lead-contaminated water. From causing behavioural and learning problems in children to hypertension and reproductive system problems in adults, the need to replace these pipes is clear.
The launch of the Great Lakes Lead Pipes Partnership falls under the umbrella of the Biden-Harris Get the Lead Out Partnership initiative from 2023. This national partnership aims to protect freshwater resources and address the approximately 9 million lead pipes still existing in the U.S., many of which are in the Great Lakes region.
President Biden has his sights set on replacing all lead service lines in the U.S. within the next decade. His 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates over $26 billion to line replacement and safe drinking water projects.
Already, the White House has announced over $370 million for Wisconsin’s water infrastructure projects, including $129.5 million for lead line replacements and $66.7 million for other water projects that address lead pipe issues.
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