In Milwaukee, President Biden unveils new rules for national lead pipe replacement program
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As the race for the White House enters the final four weeks, President Biden made another stop in Milwaukee Tuesday, October 8.
He spoke about his administration's bipartisan infrastructure law that's helping fund lead pipe replacement programs across the country.
Officially, the event was official White House business, not a campaign stop as a surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris.
But President Biden lauded the Vice President throughout his remarks and took aim at Former President Donald Trump.
At Milwaukee DPW's headquarters, President Biden announced his administration's latest rule in the years-long effort to replace lead pipes.
Cities are now required to replace pipes by 2037.
President Biden said, "It's taken too long. Hasn't been given a high enough priority. Until now."
Billions of dollars in new funding will also be available.
The President said, "It'll save lives. But it also saves taxpayers billions of dollars over time."
Milwaukee's replacement timeline was recently slashed from 60 years to 10 years.
But the city still has about 65,000 lead pipes still to replace.
Shaquetta McElroy's family is one of many affected. Her son suffered lead poisoning.
She said while he was lucky enough to not be hospitalized, "I still watched him face lifelong learning disabilities and damaging effects of lead poisoning."
Replacements have been underway in Milwaukee since 2017, using union workers like Alonzo Romo, a member of LIUNA Local 113:
Romo told us, "Every time I replace a water main, I know I'm helping someone get clean water."
The city's goal is to replace 2500 pipes this year, then expand the goal each year until all are replaced.
"But it's about the money," said Patrick Pauly, the superintendent of Milwaukee Water Works.
Pauly said the President's announcement is confirmation the city is on the right track.
But more funding is needed.
Right now, the state expects to receive $370 million.
Pauly said, "That is not enough to replace all of the lead service lines in the state, or even in the city of Milwaukee."
Pauly estimates they'll need another $700 million to complete the project.
If not, he said, "Those costs are going to fall to utility rate payers and the property tax base."
Still, Tuesday's event was a time for supporters to celebrate.
Not just of the President's accomplishments, but also of Vice President Harris's potential future.
When Michael Regan, the EPA Administrator told the crowd, "I'd also like to thank Vice President Harris" for her work on the project, the crowd cheered.
President Biden also lauded Harris in his remarks and criticized Former President Trump several times throughout the event.
President Biden said, "When the last guy was President, he promised Infrastructure Week every week for four years. And he didn't build a damn thing."
Patrick Pauly said as long as the funding is available for pipe replacements, the city of Milwaukee intends to use as much of it as possible.
We asked him if or how a change in administration could impact funding. He said he could not speak to that at this time.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- President Joe Biden will be making an appearance in Milwaukee, according to a White House press release issued Friday, Oct. 4.
The visit will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with the purpose being the President discussing the Biden-Harris administration's efforts towards replacing lead pipes, as well as a focus on the growth of jobs with good wages.
Specifics about where and when President Biden will speak have not yet been released, but CBS 58 will have details as they become available.