Overview:
-The Biden-Harris administration has finalized a new rule mandating the replacement of all lead service lines in drinking water systems nationwide within the next decade.
-Announced during President Biden's visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the policy aims to address long-standing concerns over lead contamination in water supplies, including in Michigan.
-Detroit has already been working to replace its aging water infrastructure, with $90 million in federal funding allocated for lead pipe replacement.
The Biden-Harris administration finalized a new rule requiring the replacement of all lead service lines in drinking water systems nationwide within the next decade. Announced during President Biden’s visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Oct. 8, the policy is set to address long-standing concerns over lead contamination in water supplies, including in Michigan.
Detroit stands to benefit from this federal initiative, as the city has already been working to replace its aging water infrastructure. The federal government has provided $90 million in funding to Detroit for lead pipe replacement, allowing the city to increase its efforts drastically. Detroit has ramped up replacement rates from 700 lead pipes per year to over 8,000 this year and is now on track to replace all 80,000 lead pipes within the next decade.
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Michigan has enacted the toughest regulations to curb lead in drinking water, mandating the replacement of all lead service lines by 2041, enhanced water testing, and stricter lead limits to mitigate lead exposure in Michigan water.
The announcement has special significance for Michigan, where the Flint water crisis drew national attention to the dangers of lead in drinking water. While Flint continues to recover from the crisis, Benton Harbor has emerged as a model for rapid action.
With $18 million in American Rescue Plan funding, Benton Harbor replaced all its lead pipes in just two years. The city’s success offers hope for other Michigan communities dealing with similar issues.
The new rule is part of a broader initiative under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes more than $50 billion for clean water projects nationwide.
In addition to lead pipe replacement, the administration is rolling out new protections against toxic PFAS chemicals, or “forever chemicals,” which have contaminated drinking water in many communities, including several in Michigan.
The administration’s plan prioritizes environmental justice, mandating that nearly half of the funding for water infrastructure improvements be directed toward disadvantaged communities. This focus aims to address the disproportionate burden of lead exposure on low-income areas and communities of color, as seen in both Flint and Detroit.