Lead pipes are found everywhere. Currently, no state has gotten rid of all of its toxic lead water pipes that supply drinking water to homes and businesses. But some cities, such as Chicago, New York and Detroit, have more lead plumbing fixtures than others, and replacing them can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Biden-era infrastructure billpledged $15 billion to replace lead pipes across the country over five years.
But in letter to the Environmental Protection Agency A group of Illinois congressional delegates dispatched earlier this week argues that $3 billion allocated to replace lead pipes nationwide for the fiscal year that ended in September has not yet reached the public. They warn the delay is a “dangerous politicization” that puts children and families at risk.
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“Federal resources are not a tool of partisan interests—they are lifelines designed to serve all Americans,” the letter said. “Using federal funds to leverage communities for political reasons is a dangerous abuse of power that undermines public trust and puts lives at risk.”
The move comes as communities in Illinois, which ranks among the top five states for service lines, and across the country face huge costs to remove dangerous metal pipes from water supplies. The Trump administration has already suspended congressional funding for infrastructure and energy projects. from states led by Democrats like New York, Colorado, Minnesota, New YorkAnd Massachusetts. Now lawmakers fear money for lead pipes is stuck in Washington, too.
“I think they are playing games,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamurthy, one of the lawmakers who led the letter. “It appears to be targeting blue states or blue cities that may need more mitigation than other parts of the country.”
Lead is toxic and dangerous to human health. Lead plumbing fixtures can delaminate and dissolve in drinking water, which can lead to brain damage, cardiovascular problems and reproductive problems. The Environmental Protection Agency says there is no safe level of exposure to lead.
A spokesman for the federal agency said it is “actively working” to allocate funds to replace lead service lines. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for distributing federal funds to local governments, did not respond to a request for comment. The Chicago Department of Water Resources Management said it received $14 million from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for fiscal year 2025 and received approval for $28 million for the next fiscal year.
“The estimated replacement cost for the Chicago region alone is $12 billion or more, and statewide it could be $14 billion,” Krishnamurthy said. “Whatever money comes to Chicago will not be enough to get the job done, but the federal component is vital to getting the ball rolling.”
Chicago has more than 412,000 lead service lines, more than any other city in the country. So far, the city has replaced about 14,000 lead pipes in the last five years at a cost of $400 million. This is partly due to the high cost of replacing lead pipes. In Chicago, replacing a single lead pipe can cost an average of $35,000. Federal rules require Chicago to replace all pipes by 2047, but city officials cite concerns about unfunded federal mandate.
“It impacts people's health,” said Chakena Sims, senior policy advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The federal government's politicization of access to safe drinking water is at an all-time low,” she added. “It’s encouraging to see our Illinois Congressional leaders standing up for communities.”
