{"id":13065,"date":"2024-09-23T10:46:26","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T15:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/health\/?p=13065"},"modified":"2024-09-27T10:06:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T15:06:40","slug":"bipartisan-infrastructure-law-helps-milwaukee-replace-harmful-lead-pipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/health\/2024\/09\/23\/bipartisan-infrastructure-law-helps-milwaukee-replace-harmful-lead-pipes\/","title":{"rendered":"Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps Milwaukee replace harmful lead pipes"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s New?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With more than 70,000 lead service lines, Milwaukee holds the #5 spot in our <\/span>top 10 cities with the most lead pipes<\/span><\/a>. But the city is taking action to get the lead out. Officials are implementing a robust replacement program that leverages federal funding to focus on neighborhoods that need it the most.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden in 2021, has enabled Milwaukee to triple its lead pipe replacement goals \u2013 from about 1,000 lines per year to 2,200 in 2024 and 3,500 in 2025. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Critically, their program covers replacement of the entire line, including the portion on private property, at no cost to property owners. This practice avoids harmful \u201cpartial replacements,\u201d which can increase the release of lead into the water and thus exposure to those that live in the home. Additionally, contractors must allocate 25% of project dollars to small business enterprises and ensure that 40% of work hours are performed by workers from local disadvantaged areas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our partners at\u00a0Waterloop<\/em><\/a> took a deep dive into this issue:<\/p>\n