President Biden's Plan: Safe Water in 10 Years

Imagine a future where everyone in the United States can turn on their tap and drink clean water. That's what President Biden is aiming for with a new rule set to be announced in Wisconsin. This rule gives cities a 10-year deadline to replace lead pipes, making sure drinking water is safe for all. The goal is to prevent health problems like low IQ in kids and high blood pressure in adults, caused by lead poisoning. The EPA, led by Michael Regan, says there are over 9 million old lead pipes still in use across the country. These pipes can corrode and release lead into the water, which is harmful even in small amounts. The new rule requires water systems to keep lead levels below 10 parts per billion, which is stricter than the current 15 parts per billion standard.

Cities with the highest number of lead pipes include Chicago, Cleveland, New York, and Detroit. They will have three years to prepare before the 10-year countdown starts. Milwaukee, where the announcement will be made, is one of the cities with the most lead pipes. The city is using federal infrastructure money to speed up pipe replacement. Experts agree that this is a step in the right direction. However, there are challenges. Finding all the lead pipes can be tricky as many cities don't have accurate records. Also, the total cost of replacing all lead pipes is expected to be much higher than the $15 billion provided by the infrastructure law.

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