Sun. May 19th, 2024

Biden to announce $3 billion to replace lead pipes

Alex Thompson By Alex Thompson May4,2024

President Biden will announce Thursday that his administration will be doling out $3 billion in funds to replace lead pipes, which can pose a health hazard.

Biden will announce the funds, part of a total of $15 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, during a trip to Wilmington, N.C., to replace these pipes. 

He will also announce the first Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded lead pipe replacement in Wilmington is underway. North Carolina is slated to get $76 million of the total $3 billion being dispersed. 

That $3 billion is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes, the White House said. The U.S. currently has an estimated 9.2 million lead service lines. 

While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s funding is expected to make a significant dent in the nation’s lead pipe problem, environmental advocates have expressed concern that it is not enough. 

No safe level of lead in drinking water has been identified. Exposure to the substance can damage children’s brains and nervous systems. The most infamous incident of lead poisoning in the U.S. was the water crisis in Flint, Mich., though numerous other areas have also dealt with such problems. 

The Biden administration has proposed to require most of the nation’s lead pipes to be replaced in 10 years, though concerns have been raised that some cities, like Chicago, could maintain some of their lead pipes for years or even decades under the proposal. 

In addition to the funding for lead services line replacement, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is announcing Thursday nearly $90 million to reduce health hazards in public housing, including lead-based paint — as well as carbon monoxide, mold, radon, and asbestos. 

Alex Thompson

By Alex Thompson

Alex is an award-winning journalist with a passion for investigative reporting. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Alex has covered a wide range of topics from politics to entertainment. Known for in-depth research and compelling storytelling, Alex's work has been featured in major news outlets around the world.

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One thought on “Biden to announce $3 billion to replace lead pipes”
  1. It’s a positive step to replace lead pipes, as they pose a serious health risk. I appreciate President Biden’s initiative in allocating $3 billion for this cause. However, I agree with environmental advocates that more funding may be needed to fully address the nation’s lead pipe problem.

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