Biden, EPA Unveil $2.6 Billion Plan to Replace All US Lead Pipes in 10 Years, Citing Flint Crisis

Oct 8, 2024, 02:12 PM

President Joe Biden has unveiled a comprehensive plan to replace all lead pipes in the United States within the next decade. This initiative, which includes an additional $2.6 billion in funding, aims to address the ongoing public health threat posed by lead-contaminated water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule mandating the replacement of these pipes, citing significant and irreversible health effects associated with lead exposure. The move comes a decade after the Flint, Michigan water crisis highlighted the dangers of lead in tap water. EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the 'moral imperative' to act, noting that more than nine million homes are currently served by lead service lines. The Biden-Harris Administration's plan is part of a broader effort to ensure safe drinking water for all Americans and advance environmental justice. The Detroit Water Department has received $90 million to help meet this goal.