Municipal action on lead

There is no safe level of lead exposure. Exposure can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in young children and also affects the health of adults.^[1] Children are the most susceptible to the effects of lead poisoning, which can lead to decreased IQ, hyperactivity, hearing problems, stunted growth, and learning disabilities. In adults, lead can increase the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and reproductive problems for both men and women.

While paint, dust and soil are the most common sources of lead exposure, lead can also be found in some water pipes inside buildings or pipes that connect buildings to a water main (known as a service line). Lead found in tap water usually comes from the decay of old lead-based pipes or fixtures, or from leaded solder (an alloy used to fuse metal pieces together) that connects drinking water pipes.

Lead pipes have been used since the invention of water service in ancient Rome. It is estimated that by 1900, more than 70 percent of U.S. cities with 30,000 or more residents were using lead-based products to deliver water.^[2] Due to its toxicity, many U.S. cities began moving away from using lead pipes by the 1920’s. Federal Congress finally banned the use of this toxic metal to convey drinking water in 1986. However, removal or remediation was not required.

The water crisis in Flint, MI—in which a change in the water supply and lack of proper treatment and precautions caused corrosion of pipes resulting in soaring lead levels in drinking water—have brought the concern about lead in drinking water infrastructure to the forefront. Lead in drinking water is also an equity issue—not all individuals or communities have the resources or ability to replace lead service lines, and often times these same communities face the greatest risk of lead exposure—so assessments and funding programs must be designed to deliver more resources to low-income households and low-capacity communities. Likewise, comprehensive solutions that address rental housing and non-residential buildings will be critical. While lead in our drinking water infrastructure is a complicated issue, not attending to this public health issue is not an option—we need action today. It’s time to get the lead out.

Resources:

Putting Lead into Context:

Before finding solutions, we need to first understand the problem of lead in drinking water. The following articles build a foundation for understanding this complex problem:

• The Basics on Lead in Drinking Water: MPC Water Resources Director Danielle Gallet lays out the fundamental components of lead in drinking water and why it poses a public health risk.
• Putting the whole lead in drinking water thing into perspective: a water professional weighs in: John Donahue of the North Park Public Water District explains the process of how lead seeps into drinking water and analyzes the financial costs of pipe replacement in Illinois.

Government Action on Lead:

Lead in drinking water affects more than just individuals: it affects communities. As such, many local and state governments are taking action. From state-mandated testing to service line replacement financing, the following articles discuss and evaluate recent government action pertaining to lead in drinking water:

• Helping Illinois child care centers reduce exposure to lead in drinking water: Guest Author Caroline Pakenham writes on recent Illinois legislation mandating water testing in child care facilities and assistance to fund this project.
• Buffalo, NY: A Rust Belt City’s new approach to tackling lead in drinking water: Guest Author Anna Wolf weighs in on the successful actions by the City of Buffalo to address its lead problem and considers how other cities can follow suit.

MPC's Action on Lead:

In addition to education, MPC is employing a multi-pronged approach to tackle the lead in drinking water issue at multiple levels. Our proactive approach leverages policy change, educational materials and resources, research initiatives, pilot projects, and communications to build political will and create win-win scenarios to expedite lead service line replacement. MPC is committed to bringing productive dialog and collaborative efforts to drive useful, tangible action today.

• Lead in drinking water: MPC is taking action and so can you: MPC’s Danielle Gallet delves into on-the-ground solutions that communities can take to begin addressing the lead in drinking water issue.
• A Community Guide for Immediate Action: this one-page resource highlights 10 actions community leaders and staff can take to help protect their communities, and rebuild public trust on lead in drinking water issue.
• MPC Roundtable—Lead in Drinking Water: It's Time to Get the Lead Out: This video of MPC’s roundtable contains discussion from water experts on potential funding option for lead service replacement.  
• Drinking Water 1-2-3: A guide for local officials and community leaders: This guide helps elected officials and community leaders to better understand drinking water systems, how they are managed and what the important practices are to ensure safe and sustainable supplies now and into the future. It’s full of images, graphics, statistics, and case studies.

[1] Centers for Disease Control. About Lead in Drinking Water. 2015. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/leadinwater/.

[2] Fluence Corporation Limited. A Very Brief History of Lead in Water Supplies. 2016. Source: https://www.fluencecorp.com/brief-history-lead-water-supplies/.