Can U.S. infrastructure plan do enough to fix water systems?

Dan Williams

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Part of U.S. President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan includes a proposal to upgrade the country’s water distribution system by eliminating lead pipes. Some $45 billion has been earmarked for the project, but as CGTN’s Dan Williams reports, even that might not be enough.

The water system in Chicago provides nearly one billion gallons of water a day to the city and neighboring communities. It is an impressive network, but under the ground, there is a major problem.

Lead piping is a major concern. It is estimated there are some 400,000 lead service lines running under the city, providing water to about 80 percent of all Chicago homes.

In other parts of the city, and across the nation, outdated water infrastructure is a key concern.

In Flint, Michigan, the water issues that began in 2014, created a health crisis that continues to impact residents to this day.

But change is on the horizon. A bipartisan infrastructure proposal worth some one point two trillion dollars over eight years, would make much needed upgrades to various infrastructure - including a $45 billion investment on water infrastructure.

But there are fears that the new water infrastructure won’t be implemented equitably while others fear the funds simply won’t be enough.

"As we continue to figure out where infrastructure needs to be replaced and we add that number of lead service lines, that may take that total higher as to where it needs to be," said Attorney Jeremy Orr at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Other say even with the funding, change will take years.

"It is going to take a lot to get it done. Even if the infrastructure bill passes tomorrow, this is going to take years of implementation before these communities will get their service lines replaced," said Brenda Santoyo of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization in Chicago.

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