MAYORS
Local Leaders Driving Action
When mayors lead the charge on replacing lead pipes, communities see real progress. City leaders play a crucial role in replacing lead pipes to protect their communities from lead in drinking water.
6 Key Principles for Mayors to Act on Lead Pipe Replacement
Six key principles can determine the success of any lead service line replacement (LSLR) program. Each principle offers actions, tools, and resources to support utilities at any stage. By leading, embracing innovation, and engaging communities, mayors can speed up replacements and expand access to safe, reliable and affordable drinking water.
Get started by exploring each of these principles:
Highlighting Mayoral Action
Mayors across the country are taking action to replace lead pipes in their communities to ensure their residents have access to safer drinking water. Join them by making a commitment and taking action for your community!
Cavalier Johnson
Milwaukee, Wisconsin“Doing this is about more than just replacing lead service lines . . . It’s about protecting our kids, and it’s more than even just protecting our kids. It’s about creating good-paying, family-supporting careers right here in Milwaukee.”
Mike Duggan
Detroit, Michigan“These lead lines were put in (a century ago) and over time, they will deteriorate. Detroit will not wait until we have a health problem . . . We expect to get through the entire city in the next 10 years."
Gary Christenson
Malden, Massachusetts“We have found over the years that for everything you want to do right, you need to work together. It’s the water department. It’s the city council. It’s the engineering department. I think that is how we’ve been able to get where we are.”
Learn more about mayoral action on our interactive map
Share your success, and help inspire others!
Did you know?
No amount of lead is safe
Even at low exposure, lead can harm brain development in children, leading to:
- Lower IQ
- Reading and learning disabilities
- Shortened attention spans
- Behavioral issues
Lead also harms adults
In adults, lead exposure raises the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and even premature death. During pregnancy, it’s a major risk factor for preeclampsia.
Replacing lead pipes helps avoid costly public health crises
Proactively replacing lead service lines prevents expensive crisis responses, like bottled water distribution, emergency communications, lawsuits, and lost public trust.
Replacing lead pipes creates job opportunities
Lead pipe replacement creates immediate opportunities for plumbers and contractors, strengthening the local workforce with steady, shovel-ready work.
9.2 million lead pipes are still in use
Millions of homes still get water through toxic lead pipes. Replacing them is essential to ensure safe drinking water and protect public health.
Lead pipe replacement delivers a 3:1 return on investment in health savings
A 2020 Environmental Defense Fund analysis found that every lead pipe replaced yields an estimated $22,000 in cardiovascular-related public health benefits. In addition, removing lead pipes improves IQ and lifetime earnings, and lower spending on special education and criminal justice.
Replacing lead pipes can increase property values by up to 5%
Homes with lead-free pipes are worth more, while those with lead service lines can lose up to 5% in value, per a 2018 University of Pittsburgh study.
Check out our Lead Pipes 101
Learn more about lead in drinking water, including its negative impacts and practical solutions to get the lead out
