Detroit Evening Report: State receives over $60M from EPA to replace lead water pipes

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Water faucet

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has allotted $61.9 million to the state of Michigan for lead water service line removal projects.

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Lead is a neurotoxin that can irreversibly harm brain development in children, and it can also accumulate in the bones and teeth, damage the kidneys, and interfere with the production of red blood cells needed to carry oxygen. Due to decades of inequitable infrastructure development and underinvestment, lead poisoning disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color.

This week, the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council gave Michigan an “A” grade in incorporating equity into administering state water infrastructure funds and overall effectiveness of administering funds. 

“Governor Whitmer and I are working hard to ensure Michiganders know their water is safe,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, in a news release announcing the funding. “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.”

Gilchrist says the federal funds will provide crucial support as work continues to replace lead lines and protect drinking water for Michigan families.

The funding will be facilitated by Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy.

Other headlines for Friday, May 3, 2024:

  • Dreamz Two Reality, an independent recruiting platform for student athletes in Michigan, will host its first All-American basketball game at 4 p.m. this Saturday, May 4, at Detroit Catholic Central High School in Novi.
  • May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and to mark the occasion, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson launched the Michigan Department of State’s annual “Look Twice, Save a Life” public education campaign.
  • The Detroit Reparation Task Force is hosting a public session from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Drive, Detroit. Residents can also participate via Zoom.
  •  If you are an older adult age 65 and older or you have a disability, you might be eligible to sign up for the city of Detroit’s free automated shuttle service, Detroit ADS, or Automated Driving System.

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Author

  • WDET reporter and producer Hernz Laguerre Jr.
    Hernz Laguerre Jr. is a Multimedia Journalist at 101.9 WDET. He is one of the co-host for "Detroit Evening Report," one of the weekend anchors for "Weekend Edition," the producer for our political podcast, "MichMash," and reports on arts, culture and politics.