Three Rivers, Mich., to tackle “historic” lead pipe problem with federal drinking water collaboration
(UI) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a collaboration with the city of Three Rivers, Michigan, to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate replacement and protect public health.
Three Rivers is participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, which will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide. The technical assistance provided through the program will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“Michigan knows all too well the dangers of lead pipes,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow. “This critical partnership between the EPA and Three Rivers will help identify and replace lead pipes so that families don’t have to question whether their water is safe to drink. We’re making important progress to protect our drinking water thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”
“In 2018, Michigan enacted the strictest lead and copper rules in the nation,” said Eric Oswald, Director of the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
“We’re grateful for this federal funding that will help cities throughout the state meet these aggressive targets for lead service line removal and we’re looking forward to working with city officials and our colleagues at US EPA on the Get the Lead Out Initiative.”
“The City of Three Rivers is grateful for the EPA’s assistance in helping our community improve its water distribution system so we can provide the highest quality water to its residents,” said Three Rivers City Manager Joseph A. Bippus. “We recognize this is a historical problem and will take time and resources to overcome but we are committed to reaching our goal to get the lead out!”
Consuming lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean and safe drinking water, including nearly $62 million for Michigan 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.
Michigan is no stranger to critical water infrastructure challenges. In 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The river's water was not properly treated, causing lead from old pipes to leach into the drinking water.
As a result, thousands of residents, including children, were exposed to dangerous levels of lead. Efforts to replace lead pipes and provide safe drinking water are ongoing.
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