Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement

(WO) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a collaboration with the city of Elgin, Illinois, to help identify drinking water lead pipes and accelerate replacement initiatives. Elgin is participating in the EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, which will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.

Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the city of Elgin in identifying lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean and safe drinking water, including nearly $241 million for Illinois just this year alone.

The legislature also allocated another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can be used for lead pipe replacement.

“While Elgin’s drinking water is lead-free when it leaves our water treatment plants, the issue of lead service lines persists, affecting approximately 11,000 households in our oldest neighborhoods. These lines are predominantly located in areas with low-to-moderate income families, and we are committed to replacing them as quickly as possible,” said Elgin Mayor David Kaptain.

“Thanks to EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, we are enhancing our public outreach regarding lead service lines. Our goal is to increase residents' awareness of the importance of protecting their families from lead exposure and to facilitate the identification and replacement of these service lines. This collaboration ensures the health and safety of our community while advancing our efforts to eliminate all lead service lines in Elgin.”

 

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