LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As Michigan strives to continue replacing old lead water pipes, the state was given nearly $62 million by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Governor Whitmer and I are working hard to ensure Michiganders know their water is safe,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “We’ve invested hundreds of millions to protect the quality of drinking water, upgrade water infrastructure, and replace lead service lines in communities across Michigan. We also established the strongest lead and copper rules for drinking water in the country. Today’s $61.9 million investment by the Biden Administration will provide crucial support as we continue to replace lead lines and protect drinking water for Michigan families. Governor Whitmer and I will keep standing tall for clean drinking water in Michigan.”

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So far, the total funding from the pipe replacement program is expected to affect 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, granting clean drinking water to that many more families.

“The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden understands it is critical to identify and remove lead pipes as quickly as possible, and he has secured significant resources for states and territories to accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all.”

Environment, Great Lake, and Energy (EGLE) will distribute the funding.

EGLE will administer the money through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and will be used to continue ridding the state of harmful lead contamination and rebuilding the state’s infrastructure.

“The State of Michigan is committed to protect every family from lead contamination and build confidence in our drinking water systems,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “Under Governor Whitmer’s leadership, the state has leveraged billions in state and federal resources to rebuild Michigan’s water infrastructure and remove lead pipes, but our work isn’t done. These additional resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us increase the pace of rebuilding and modernizing Michigan’s water infrastructure.”

Michigan’s recent infrastructure investments and toxic lead pipe replacement efforts in the U.S.

More than $4 billion has been invested in upgrading drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater facilities across the state since January 2019, according to EGLE.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, it recently announced that it would be replacing toxic lead pipes across the country, and contributing $3 billion to the effort.

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The White House also highlighted the work of Benton Harbor which replaced all of its lead pipes within a two year period following its lead water crisis, and with funds from the federal government.

“President Biden’s commitment to revitalizing America’s infrastructure has provided Michigan with a transformative opportunity,” said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “By investing federal dollars in our aging water infrastructure, we’re ensuring clean drinking water for families and creating local, sustainable jobs that are vital to our communities’ growth and prosperity.”

Michigan’s U.S. Senators support the decision to fund more pipe replacement projects.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) shared more about Michigan’s history with lead pipes.

“Michigan knows all too well the dangers of lead pipes,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow. “This critical investment will help identify and replace lead pipes across our state so that families don’t have to question whether their water is safe to drink.”

Fellow U.S. Senator Gary Peters also underscored the importance of the funding impact on the state.

“Every American deserves access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Sen. Gary Peters. “Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass, we are making critical investments to replace lead service lines, helping to protect Michiganders from lead exposure.”