A funding delay at EPA could upend a Midwest city’s plan to replace thousands of drinking water pipes made of toxic lead.
Milwaukee intends to remove and replace lead pipes delivering drinking water to 5,000 private residences next year under a plan that prioritizes economically distressed neighborhoods with the most lead-poisoned children. The city ranks approximately fifth in the nation for total number of lead pipes, which were banned federally in 1986 due to health risks but remain widespread in older homes and buildings nationwide.
The Milwaukee water department plan hinges on receiving millions from EPA to fund the work. Now, with that federal funding yet to be announced, the department has delayed signing construction contracts for lead pipe replacement work next year, said Patrick Pauly, superintendent of Milwaukee Water Works.
Those contracts, typically worth about $10 million, must be signed before year’s end to keep the city on track with its pipe replacement goals, Pauly said.
