Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new federal rule that will require the vast majority of water service lines made with lead to be removed and replaced within the next ten years. These service lines, common in aging public water systems, are a significant cause of lead poisoning in the United States.
The new rule will also require water utilities to take swift action when certain levels of lead are detected. While no level of lead is safe, the rule lowers the amount of lead that triggers action, which can include providing free filters to consumers and prioritizing their service line for replacement.
EPA’s action is one of several exciting steps toward lead-free water taken in the last few years. Minnesota has been a leader on the issue. The goal of replacing all lead service lines within ten years was passed into state law in 2023, and cities like Saint Paul and Minneapolis started their programs even earlier.
MEP has strongly advocated for lead pipe removal for years, both at the State Capitol and in DC. Historically, we tended to focus on protecting the natural “outdoor” environment, but we have recently broadened our work to “put people and planet first.” That includes our goal to secure safe drinking water for all, and lead service line replacements is one of the most cost-effective tools for making that goal a reality.
Lead’s effects on the human body and brain – especially in children – have been known for decades. It can cause intellectual disabilities, organ damage, and violent behavior among those heavily exposed. There are treatments available for some levels of lead exposure, but there is no cure for the long-term impacts, only prevention.
We’ve banned lead in paint, in (most) gasoline, and in new drinking water pipes, but as many as 9 million homes in the U.S. still get their water via lead service lines. These tend to break down as they age, releasing lead into the home’s plumbing. Most of these lines are in older homes and, concentrated in older cities like Duluth and Saint Paul, contribute to an outsized risk of lead for low-income communities and communities of color.
Filtration, running a faucet for a few minutes each morning, and pH maintenance by water utilities can help reduce the risk of lead exposure, but the only surefire solution is replacing the pipe. Removing them can cost several thousand dollars or more per household, putting removal out of reach for lower-income families. On the other hand, a government agency can efficiently conduct removal and replacement of lead lines in bulk, which helps lower future health and safety costs for entire communities.
MEP sought to raise awareness of this issue – both among affected families and government agencies – by conducting free lead testing for families in Duluth. With support from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, River Network, and Ecolibrium3, we tested samples from homes in the Lincoln Park, Hillside, and Denfield neighborhoods. Right away, we began seeing detectable – therefore dangerous – levels of lead in our samples.
We raised our concerns to the City of Duluth, which has since made major strides in identifying and responding to lead service lines. Duluth has found that 7,176 service lines, or more than 1 in 5 of the lines on city water, are in need of replacement.
Since our testing project, we advocated for lead service line replacement throughout Minnesota at the State Legislature. We helped bring the voices of community members impacted by lead lines to the Capitol, and worked with numerous allies on this issue. The broad coalition behind this effort succeeded, and the Legislature passed its 2023 lead service line replacement bill with overwhelming margins in both the House and Senate.
We’re pleased that the federal government is replicating Minnesota’s efforts at the national level, and we’re hopeful that more funding will be provided to ensure that all community water systems can get the lead out. We’re on the cusp of ensuring that within less than a generation, no child in America will be exposed to lead by the pipes that carry their drinking water.