The Solution
A public health problem with a practical solution.
of Democrats
of Republicans
of Independents
support funding replacement of lead pipes*
*According to polling from EDF, Young, Gifted & Green (formerly Black Millennials for Flint) and BlueGreen Alliance
In any lead service line replacement program, there are six key priorities where mayoral and city leadership can make a difference between failure and success. Each of these priorities includes key actions, as well as tools and additional readings to implement these solutions.
Get started by exploring each of these priorities:
Financial Benefits of
Lead Pipe Replacement
Avoids the cost of a public health crisis
Proactively replacing lead service lines brings a host of benefits that far outweigh the costs. Removing the largest source of lead in water will result in a healthier community with access to safer drinking water. By contrast, there are substantial costs that a mayor should anticipate if lead service lines are not dealt with proactively. This includes the costs of reacting to a drinking water crisis such as by having to provide bottled water and filters in places where lead-contaminated water has been detected, crisis communications which take away from other priorities, and legal fees from lawsuits and settlements. The loss of public trust by not dealing with lead service lines proactively is another substantial cost.
Provides more than 3 to 1 return on investment from health benefits
Replacing lead service lines provides an estimated $22,000 in benefits per line from avoided health impacts from cardiovascular disease alone – an impressive 3 to 1 return on investment – as demonstrated by a 2020 EDF analysis.
Preserves property values by as much as 5%
Communities that are safer and cleaner have a corresponding increase in property values. By contrast, delaying a community-wide lead service line replacement effort that prioritizes residents’ health can have negative implications for individual home values. Given growing concerns and awareness of water quality, potential home buyers and renters may be deterred from homes served by a lead service line, decreasing the value of that home by as much as 5%, as demonstrated by a 2018 study from the University of Pittsburgh.
Maximizes local economic development and create jobs
Replacing lead service lines can stimulate local economies by creating long-term career opportunities and providing higher wages, especially for unemployed or low-income residents. Hiring locally, and partnering with local, small, minority-owned, women-owned, and union-based businesses can also help with community outreach and build trust among residents. An analysis from the Metropolitan Planning Council in Illinois found that replacing the state’s lead service lines could create between 87,841 and 224,500 jobs and $9 to $23 billion in additional economic activity.
Saves billions in water losses due to aging water infrastructure
Given the age of most lead service lines, and their tendency to leak, reduced water loss is another key benefit. A recent study in Ohio demonstrated $82 billion in savings of “lost water” from leaks and reduced maintenance, assuming the state’s estimated 745,000 lead service lines are replaced over the next fifteen years.