The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a partnership with the Village of Franklin Park, Illinois, to accelerate the replacement of lead water pipes and protect public health. This collaboration is part of the EPA's Get the Lead Out Initiative, which is fully funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The initiative aims to achieve 100% lead service line replacement nationwide.
From November 6 through November 9, EPA contractors will join village representatives in Franklin Park for a door-knocking campaign to identify lead service lines. "President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Franklin Park across the country," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore.
Lead consumption in drinking water poses serious health risks, including irreversible harm to children's brain development. To address this issue, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $15 billion for replacing lead pipes and ensuring safe drinking water. Illinois alone received nearly $241 million this year for these efforts.
Senator Dick Durbin emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and praised Congress for passing the infrastructure law. "By partnering with EPA to identify and replace lead service lines, Illinois communities can eliminate this public health threat once and for all," he stated.
Senator Tammy Duckworth highlighted that historically underserved communities are often disproportionately affected by unsafe water conditions. She expressed pride in the administration's efforts through programs like Get the Lead Out: "Making sure all families have access to clean water is important to me."
Representative Jesús “Chuy” García encouraged Franklin Park residents to participate in identifying and removing lead service lines as part of the campaign: "We all have a role to play in promoting a healthy Franklin Park."
Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen acknowledged the significance of EPA's technical assistance: "This is a significant contribution in helping the Village’s goal of eliminating lead water services in the future."
According to EPA estimates, approximately 9 million lead service lines remain across the United States. Communities can request assistance with replacements via EPA’s WaterTA website.
The recent finalization of EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements mandates drinking water systems nationwide identify and replace lead pipes within ten years while enhancing testing protocols and community communication regarding risks associated with lead exposure.
As part of broader efforts underlined by President Biden's whole-of-government approach against environmental hazards like those posed by aging infrastructure containing harmful materials such as toxic metals found naturally occurring but hazardous when ingested over time—such initiatives become crucially relevant today more than ever before given increasing concerns surrounding climate change impacts globally affecting resource availability locally too here domestically where possible solutions exist already awaiting implementation upon securing necessary funding support required initially upfront during early stages involved therein ensuring long-term sustainability ultimately achieved successfully thereafter benefiting everyone equally without exception whatsoever thereby fostering greater equity overall throughout society collectively moving forward together toward brighter future ahead hopefully someday soon eventually finally realized ultimately attained fully accomplished completely altogether finally done at last!
