Momentum is building to fund lead pipe replacement across the country: New video

Joanna Slaney, Legislative Director and Sam Lovell, Communications Manager.

Watch the full video here.

With Congress following infrastructure legislation, it is clear that lead pipe replacement is a priority. This is good news for our health, the country’s infrastructure and the economy. We appreciate the attention of Congress and the government to this issue with the inclusion of funding for the full replacement of lead pipes in the President’s American Jobs Plan.

So it’s no wonder that interest in this initiative, the latest survey, is growing from the Navigator shows that 83% nationwide support for lead pipe replacement funding is supported – including 73% Republicans, 80% Independents and 91% Democrats. This reflects previous surveys who have found similarly overwhelming bipartisan support.

As EDF has already written, a $ 45 billion investment in lead pipe replacement over ten years would:

  • Protect public health by allowing water systems across the country to quickly begin eliminating LSLs to protect residents.
  • More than pay for yourself. Complete replacement of leading service lines across the country would raise more than $ 205 billion in social benefits over 35 years – a return of 450% – due to the prevented deaths from heart disease from lead exposure in adults.
  • Constantly update infrastructure by facilitating critical upgrades of water distribution systems in a way that protects residents from elevated levels of lead in their drinking water when the LSL is disturbed.
  • Reduce disparities by allowing utilities to completely replace LSLs, addressing equity concerns that utilities are currently facing when replacing lead pipe on private property.
  • create jobs for the plumbers and contractors doing the LSL exchange. This is a shovel-ready job with construction and plumbing teams doing the swap.

With bills in the House and Senate focused on funding the replacement of lead pipes, it is important that we keep moving forward to make sure the federal government gets the lead out of our drinking water.

Check out EDF’s new video that explains why replacing lead service lines is important and why investing in them is a given for the federal government.

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