Taking Action to Replace Lead Service Lines in America

It’s a problem that has been plaguing our nation for decades – the potential exposure of over half of American children to lead. And we know it’s a problem that disproportionately affects low-income families and people of color. But now, we are taking action to replace every lead service line in America, proving that we are better than this. Lead poisoning is a serious health issue, particularly for young children whose bodies absorb more lead than adults do. Exposure can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The CDC also reports that approximately 24 million homes across the country have lead service lines – pipes made of lead or other materials containing lead – connecting their homes to water mains in the street. Fortunately, communities across the country are stepping up to take action on this issue by replacing these old pipes with new ones made from safer materials like copper or plastic. In 2020 alone, over 500 cities have taken part in an initiative called “Replace Every Lead Service Line” (RELSL). This program provides grants and technical assistance to local governments so they can replace all their aging infrastructure with newer, safer options without having to worry about cost barriers or other obstacles getting in their way. The RELSL program has already seen success in many places around the country including Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Flint Michigan; Newark New Jersey; Providence Rhode Island; and Washington D.C., where over 15 miles of aging infrastructure was replaced within just two years! These efforts are helping protect thousands of residents from potential exposure while also providing much needed jobs for local workers who are doing this important work on the ground level. This initiative is just one example of how communities can come together to make sure everyone has access to clean drinking water free from contamination by toxic metals like lead or arsenic. It’s an effort that requires dedication from both citizens and elected officials alike but it is one worth fighting for as it will ensure our children have healthy futures ahead of them free from preventable illnesses caused by environmental toxins like these dangerous metals found in our drinking water supply systems today.