Biden announces new goal for replacing lead pipes

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- There's a new timeline for cities to replace their lead pipes.

President Joe Biden announced Tuesday he is setting a ten-year goal for cities to get this done. 

President Biden says it is long past time for cities to replace dangerous lead pipes, "It'll save lives, but it also saves the taxpayers billions of dollars over time."

The president says he wants to help make that possible.  While in Wisconsin, he announced the administration is investing an additional $2.6 billion for drinking water upgrades and lead pipe replacements.  He's giving cities ten years to get this done. 

"President Biden is putting an end to this generational public health crisis," EPA Administrator Michael Regan said. 

The plan also calls for better lead testing requirements and mandating a complete inventory of lead water pipes.

"One study showed Black children are at least two times more likely to have elevated levels of lead in their blood than children of other racial groups," Biden said. 

Shyquetta McElroy knows firsthand the dangers of lead pipes.  "Although my son was one of the lucky ones, meaning he didn't have to be hospitalized, I still watched him face lifelong learning disabilities and damaging effects of lead poisoning," she said. 

The EPA says replacing these pipes will lead to better health outcomes for Americans.  

The money for this project will come from the 2021 infrastructure law.