Biden announces $43 million for drinking water upgrades and lead pipe replacements in Wisconsin – WisPolitics

President Joe Biden in Milwaukee today announced an additional $2.6 billion for drinking water upgrades and lead pipe replacements nationwide, including $43 million for Wisconsin.

Of the new funding, 49% must be provided to disadvantaged communities as grant funding or principal forgiveness that does not have to be repaid. Biden said these communities have “borne the brunt of lead poisoning for damn too long.” 

“Studies show communities of color have been the hardest hit,” Biden said. “One study showed Black children are at least two times more likely to have elevated levels of lead in their blood than children of other racial groups. We have an obligation to make things right.”

He added: “Like all major investments we’re making in the environment, it’s also about creating good paying jobs, many of them union jobs for laborers, plumbers and pipefitters.”

He said it is “outrageous” half of the population of tribal lands in the U.S. still lacks clean water.

Biden also announced the Environmental Protection Agency has finalized federal regulations requiring drinking water systems in the U.S. to replace lead service lines within 10 years.

The city of Milwaukee, where Biden made the announcement, is already set to replace lead pipes within the 10-year timeline. So far, lead pipe replacement in the city, funded by a $30 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2024, has cut what had been a 60-year timeline. Similarly, Edgerton, southeast of Madison, has replaced 100% of its known lead pipes after receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

“There’s no safe, no safe level of lead exposure. Period. None,” Biden said. “The only way forward is (to) replace every lead pipeline and connect the American people to clean water. No alternative.”

Senior Administration White House officials at a press call yesterday said they are sure 99% of the cities will make the 10-year deadline, and the EPA will aggressively pursue a timeline that stays in line with the president’s vision for the 1% that don’t.

EPA estimates the final rule will prevent up to 900,000 infants from being born with a low birth weight, prevent up to 200,000 IQ points from being lost in children, and reduce up to 1,500 cases of premature death from heart disease every year.