The White House has announced legislation that requires plumbing replacement within 10 years

The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it has passed a new law requiring utilities nationwide to replace drinking water pipes within the next 10 years.

President Joe Biden will discuss the legislation Tuesday in a speech in Milwaukee.

He will also announce that the Environmental Protection Agency is committing an additional $2.6 billion, funded by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for drinking water improvements and pipe replacement.

Biden announced his plan in December 2021 to replace all of the country’s service lines. The EPA estimates that lead pipes carry water into up to 9 million homes, mostly in low-income communities and communities of color.

Lead can enter drinking water if plumbing fixtures corrode. When ingested, toxic iron can cause many health problems, including high blood pressure and reduced kidney function in the elderly. It can cause premature births and birth defects in unborn children. And even low levels in children can seriously affect their physical and mental development.

“Since day one, the president and vice president have made it clear that all Americans, regardless of where they come from, should have access to their basic needs, including not being able to turn on the faucet and drink clean drinking water without fear. ” White House Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian said in a call with reporters on Monday. “We know there is no safe level of exposure to lead.”

In total, the development bill earmarked more than $50 billion for clean water, including $15 billion for pipe replacement. Water companies in some cities have been using it for a long time. In May, Biden announced a $3 billion grant for states to replace their pipelines.

For example, Milwaukee received about $30 million this year alone to replace 3,400 lead service lines and has reduced its life cycle from 60 years to 10, the report said. of the White House.

Detroit, Denver and Erie, Pennsylvania, are among other cities that have received funding and are changing their lead service lines.

According to the Biden administration, more jobs will also create jobs and reduce public health costs.

For every $1 billion invested in water infrastructure, 15,500 jobs are created, the White House said.

The EPA estimates that each year the new law will prevent up to 900,000 babies from low birth weight, prevent hyperactivity disorder in 2,600 children, reduce to 1,500 cases of premature death from heart attack and preventing up to 200,000 IQ points to be lost in it. children.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said “Leaving America without leadership is President Biden’s legacy.”

“This is an issue of public health, an issue of environmental justice, an issue of human rights, and it has finally been achieved with the urgency that is needed,” he said. Regan.

According to a senior official of the administration, the final law is stronger than a previous draft, which allows many cities to receive exemptions. The official said that the administration is “very confident” 99% of the cities will meet the 10-year limit, while another official said that the administration will work with other districts to raise funds and solve their problems. may face.

In addition, the EPA is lowering the level of lead – from 0.015 milligrams per liter to 0.010 – which encourages utilities to take action by notifying residents and taking measures steps to reduce the height. Criminals may be required to make water available to all residents of a community.

The law may face challenges from Congress or in the courts. A senior official of the administration argued “it is on legal grounds, supported by science.” Another official said, they “hope that ending the poisoning of our children from water should and can be a second priority.”