EPA Announces Partnership with Village of Franklin Park, Illinois, to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health

EPA Announces Partnership with Village of Franklin Park, Illinois, to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health

Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Franklin Park is joining communities across the country who are accelerating replacement of lead service lines

November 4, 2024

"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. "EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation's drinking water once and for all."

Consuming lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean and safe drinking water, including nearly $241 million for Illinois just 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 the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out Initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.

"Access to clean, safe drinking water is not just a basic necessity; it is a fundamental human right," said Sen. Dick Durbin. "Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law knowing how our communities, especially those in underserved areas, continue to live with the threat of lead contaminated drinking water. By partnering with EPA to identify and replace lead service lines, Illinois communities can eliminate this public health threat once and for all."

"Every American deserves access to clean, safe and reliable water, but all too often this neglect disproportionately affects historically underserved communities and communities of color," said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. "Making sure all families have access to clean water is important to me, it's why I pushed to ensure my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act and historic levels of funding for lead service line replacement were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, I'm proud the Biden-Harris Administration's Get the Lead Out program is continuing to prioritize getting the lead out of pipes in Illinois communities like Franklin Park so we can help deliver clean water for all."

"Access to safe drinking water is a human right, and unfortunately many communities across our country still have to wonder if the water they drink is lead-free. The Village of Franklin Park is taking action to protect residents by participating in EPA's Get the Lead Out campaign," said Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García. "I encourage all residents of Franklin Park to collaborate in this effort as the village begins a door-knocking campaign to identify and remove lead service lines. We all have a role to play in promoting a healthy Franklin Park."

"The Village of Franklin Park has embraced the Get the Lead Out Initiative and is appreciative of the EPA's technical assistance in helping to reduce the number of lead water services in the Village," said Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen. "This is a significant contribution in helping the Village's goal of eliminating lead water services in the future."

EPA estimates that there are about 9 million lead service lines still in use across the country. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request formon EPA's WaterTA website.

EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements were finalized on October 8, 2024. They require drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within ten years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes and plans for replacing them.

The Get the Lead Out Initiative could not come at a better time as EPA is already supporting communities such as the ones in Illinois to identify lead pipes, develop lead service line replacement plans, increase community outreach and education efforts, and apply for funding. As a result of these efforts, Franklin Park, Elgin, Kewanee, Maywood, Monmouth, North Chicago, and South Holland are already on track to meet the more protective standards that EPA has set to protect people from lead in drinking water and move quickly toward the goal of 100% lead-free pipes.

Background:

Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Lawprovided a historic $50 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines and another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access their fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) programs, such as the Get the Lead Out Initiative.

As part of the Administration's whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe replacement. Through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.