Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, Ypsilanti is joining communities across the country to accelerate the replacement of lead service lines.
CHICAGO (Aug. 8, 2024) – Today, at an event in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott announced a collaboration with Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority as part of EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative. This partnership will help identify legacy lead pipes that connect homes’ drinking water and accelerate lead pipe replacements to protect public health. EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.
“The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead and protecting children and families from lead exposure is at the top of EPA’s priority list,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “I am thrilled to be in Ypsilanti today to meet the local workforce that is identifying and replacing lead pipes in the community. Through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA is strengthening communities across the country by protecting drinking water and upgrading wastewater management while creating good-paying jobs and supporting economic opportunity.”
In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer. In children, it can severely harm mental and physical development, slowing down learning and irreversibly damaging the brain. EPA is taking a comprehensive approach to getting the lead out of drinking water using its statutory authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act; historic funding for water projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; technical assistance for underserved communities; and practical implementation tools to help local municipalities.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes, including nearly $62 million for Michigan this year alone. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also allocated another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund which can be used for lead pipe replacement. However, many underserved communities lack resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. Technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out Initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in replacing lead pipes.
“Clean water is a basic human right. Here in Michigan especially we know all too well the importance of access to clean water and sanitation and how hard we must work to protect it,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell. “I thank the EPA and Biden-Harris Administration for their continued commitment to get the lead out of every pipe in America and Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority for their partnership and work in this effort. In the wealthiest nation on earth there should not be a single family without clean and safe water, and I will continue working with our federal state and local governments to see this through.”
“YCUA appreciates collaborating with EPA on GLO initiative which will accelerate our goal of 100% lead-free pipes,” said Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority Executive Director Luther Blackburn.
Under Get The Lead Out Initiative EPA will support Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority identifying developing increasing outreach education applying funding Communities wishing receive assistance completing request form website
Background:
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