President Biden Milwaukee visit; lead pipe replacement deadline
MILWAUKEE - It is a race against time to remove lead pipes. President Joe Biden visited Wisconsin on Tuesday, Oct. 8 as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new regulation. It requires all lead service lines to be replaced by 2037.
Milwaukee used to have 70,000 lead laterals. But that is changing. The city has been working on this project for about eight years – but they still have about 65,000 to go.
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Lead poisoning can cause serious problems like brain damage, slow growth and behavioral problems. Just ask Shy McElroy's son.
"I watched him suffer life-long learning disabilities," McElroy said.
Shy McElroy
The Biden administration finalized new rules – remove lead service lines by 2037.
The EPA estimates the stricter standard nationwide will prevent 900,000 infants from having low birthweight – and stop children from losing up to 200,000 IQ points.
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President Biden spoke at Milwaukee's Department of Public Works Field Headquarters on Tuesday. The EPA said the city has the fifth most lead service lines in the entire nation.
"We’ll continue to expand until we get on pace to replace all of them in that 10-year timeframe. But it’s about the money. The bill funding has been an incredible benefit to the City of Milwaukee and the utility," said Patrick Pauly, Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent.
Biden sets 10-year deadline for US cities to replace lead pipes, make drinking water safer
The president announced the new regulation, which replaces a standard set forth by the Trump administration that did not include a universal requirement to replace lead pipes.
Milwaukee is using $30 million in bipartisan infrastructure money to speed up removal of those lead service lines. But Paul said it may cost $700 million more.
The president announced the federal government will send another $2.6 billion to communities across the country.
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Marquette poll: Harris leads Trump in latest Wisconsin survey
Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in the latest Marquette University Law School poll of registered Wisconsin voters, released on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
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Team Trump Wisconsin Communications Director Jacob Fischer
"As Wisconsin families suffocate under the weight of Kamala and Joe's dangerously liberal agenda, it's horrifying to consider that ‘not a thing’ came to Kamala's mind when asked about changes she'd make as president. Wisconsinites continue to sour on Democrats, and Joe's visit is another sickening reminder that a Kamala presidency would be another four years of historic inflation and high prices."