In Milwaukee alone, there were an estimated 70,000 lead pipes in the ground. | Pixabay
In Milwaukee alone, there were an estimated 70,000 lead pipes in the ground. | Pixabay
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan visited Milwaukee on Tuesday, July 6 to promote federal funding to aid in replacing the city’s lead pipes.
In Milwaukee alone, there were an estimated 70,000 lead pipes in the ground, according to an EPA press release. Since 2017, only 3,800 of those have been replaced and it will cost an estimated $800 million to finish the job, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. State and local leaders are hoping federal funds can greatly speed up the project.
“Everyone should have access to clean, safe drinking water, and we simply must do more to improve our state's water infrastructure," Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said on Twitter. "Thanks to @EPA Administrator Regan for his partnership and support in our work to ensure clean water for all Wisconsinites.”
Regan used the visit as an opportunity to promote the Biden administration’s proposed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which includes funding for removing lead pipes, with the stated goal of eliminating all lead pipes and service lines in the country. Regan also touted the bill's proposed measures to address issues related to climate change and other nationwide infrastructure upgrades.
"We don't have to choose between jobs, resilient infrastructure and preparation for climate change," Regan said, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. "This is an opportunity to do all three."
In 2018, 9.2% of children in Milwaukee aged five or younger were found to have lead levels of above 5 mcg/dL, the minimum level for intervention, according to a report from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
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