Biden's Lead Pipe Dream: Clean Drinking Water
How the $30 billion, 10 year project could change American life
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Good morning and TGIF!
“Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree…” For the 101st time, the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place last night, even after the tree took a tumble the night before due to high winds in DC. The lighting by the president dates back to President Calvin Coolidge.
You can watch the full ceremony — with performances from Darren Chris, Dionne Warwick, and St. Vincent — December 15th on CBS News.
Enjoy your weekend!
Mosheh, Jill, & Lauren
🗞 THE COST OF TOXIC-FILLED & TOXIN-FREE WATER
Within the next decade, about 9+ million lead pipes throughout the US could be replaced, under strict new rules proposed by the EPA. It comes as the Biden administration aims to improve health and prevent another public health crisis like we saw in Flint, MI.
The cost will be about $30 or so billion, and utilities are being asked to pay for it— a cost which could eventually be passed on to consumers. But, Biden says the infrastructure law passed last year includes $15 billion to replace lead pipes and $11.7 billion of general Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that can also be used for the new requirements.
WHITE HOUSE PROPOSAL
The EPA regulations — which expand the Lead and Copper Rule from 1991 — would be the strictest limits set on lead in drinking water since federal standards were first set. What utilities would need to do:
Eliminate most lead pipes, and show less lead in water.
Create inventories of all their lead pipes.
Increase tap water sampling requirements.
When Michigan increased testing, the number of communities flagged for having high lead levels skyrocketed.
Other cities have done it: Newark, NJ; Benton Harbor, MI; and Green Bay, WI replaced their lead service lines recently, the EPA said. The agency expects to publish a final version of the new rule next Fall.
CURRENT STANDARDS
Residents of Jackson, MS; Flint, MI; and parts of New York City and Baltimore have dealt with contaminated water supplies over the years. In 2016, Reuters reported that 3,000 communities had lead poisoning rates that were at least double those in Flint, during the peak of that city’s contamination crisis.
The EPA estimates the cost to fully fix the drinking water infrastructure will be nearly $625 billion — but lead pipes are what they’re focused on now.
Contaminant exposure disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color where infrastructure is older.
The extent of lead pipes isn’t fully known; some states even rejected federal dollars because they couldn’t locate lines.
Companies currently have to monitor drinking water by reporting to the EPA. If lead concentrations exceed certain levels (15 parts per billion) in more than 10% of customer taps sampled lines must be removed.
HOW IT HAPPENS
Lead can enter drinking water when lead-constructed plumbing corrodes. It is more likely when water has high acidity or low mineral content. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures.
It’s not just water: lead can be found in air, dust, produce (from contaminated soil), toys and paint.
🚨 You cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling.
WHY IT MATTERS: Even a small amount of lead can have a major impact on the body, especially in children — with kids under 7 most affected.
Adults: nerve damage, increased blood pressure, hearing and vision impairment, reproductive problems.
Children: Behavior problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, anemia, and death in extreme cases.
15 parts per billion is the current EPA alarm. Via: nrdc.org
NEVER DRINKING WATER AGAIN
Before you run to the store and buy a shelf of bottled water — which has other climate implications — there are some ways to ensure you have clean drinking water at home.
First, the EPA has lots of useful information on lead in water.
You can get your water tested for a cost of $20-$100, and in some cities (New York City being one of them) you can get your water tested for free.
Not all filters are created equal: There are some easy-to-use filters that you can buy and are effective. But it must be fitted properly. Make sure it is certified to remove lead. Also, don’t run hot-water through it and replace it when instructed.
✔︎ Mo News Reality Check: Don’t forget about your pets! With two thirds of American homes having a furry friend, remember they benefit from filtered water too.
⏳ SPEED READ
🚨NATION
📌 George Santos refuses to resign ahead of today’s expulsion vote (CNN)
📌 Senate Judiciary authorizes subpoenas of Harlan Crow and Leonard Leo in Supreme Court ethics probe (NBC NEWS)
📌 Study says US ill-prepared to ensure housing for the growing number of older people (ABC NEWS)
📌 Appeals court reinstates gag order in Trump fraud case (FOX NEWS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
📌 Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a landmark ruling (AP)
📌 Climate aid fund established on first day of COP28 after 30-year controversy (AXIOS)
📌 US warns Israel that time will soon be up for them to prosecute war in Gaza (TIMES OF ISRAEL)
📌 Israel’s plan to kill Hamas leaders around the world (WSJ)
📌 Candy company Mars uses cocoa harvested by kids as young as 5 in Ghana (CBS NEWS)
📌 Sudanese women describe being gang-raped in ethnically targeted attacks by Arab forces (REUTERS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
📌 Elon Musk tells advertisers who left X: 'Go f--- yourself' (FOX NEWS) Advertisers say they won’t return (NY TIMES)
📌 UAW strike cut Ford sales by 100,000 vehicles, cost company $1.7 billion in profits (CBS NEWS)
📌 Gen Z, millennial women face historic headwinds when it comes to their health (ABC NEWS)
📌 Uncle Sam wants you to help stop insurers' bogus Medicare Advantage sales tactics (NPR)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
📌 Kelly Clarkson's ex husband Brandon Blackstock ordered to RETURN $2.6M to singer after he 'overcharged' star in booking fees as her manager (DAILY MAIL)
📌 Cristiano Ronaldo faces a $1 billion class-action lawsuit after promoting Binance NFTs (AP)
📌 Deion Sanders named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of Year (ESPN)
📌 Disney CEO Bob Iger admits company’s movies have been too focused on messaging (CNBC)
🗓 CHEERS TO THE FREAKIN WKND
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: Jill: Disney’s Wish, in the movie theater. Mosh: American Symphony on Netflix
WHAT WE’RE READING: Jill: A Harvard Professor Prepares to Teach a New Subject: Taylor Swift~ NY Times; Mosh: Lords of the Desert: Making of Modern Middle East
WHAT WE’RE EATING: Jill: Chanukah Gelt. (Never too early.) Mosh: Harmless Harvest Dairy-Free Yogurt