How Congress' $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill can save the lives of many
- Leslie Valle
- Sep 9, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2021
NORTHRIDGE, CA - The newest Infrastructure bill contains a plan on how to replace the nations water systems leading to lesser health risks for many Americans.
The party had been struggling for months to find a middle ground that worked hand in hand with President Bidens' agenda, but those efforts were repeatedly shut down which delayed the legislation passing the bill.
The legislation will deliver 550 billion dollars of new federal investments in America's infrastructure over five years, including money for roads, bridges, mass transit, rails, airports, ports and waterways. The package will invest tens of billions of dollars to improve the water systems.
This now represents the largest investment in clean drinking water in American history which also includes dedicated funding to replace lead service lines and the dangerous chemicals found within them.
Aged and contaminated pipelines pose a big threat to the nations water systems and the U.S. health, especially those in marginalized communities.
Aging water infrastructures need constant attention and investment to ensure full safety, but this can be pricey especially when a neighborhood doesn’t cover much of the costs.
As a result low-income communities of color can see much spottier replacement rates in their neighborhoods due to lack of money to be able to replace the pipes. The smallest amounts of of lead exposure to one is so severe, even lowest levels can cause irreversible neurological damage.
“We need to make sure all residents, without regard to how much money they make or the color of their skin, benefit from these rules designed to protect people and protect public health.” said Tom Neltner, chemicals policy director with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools along with child care centers lack safe drinking water and it is unimaginable what damage has already been done.
Disadvantaged communities that need it most will be able to benefit from this plan as it will no longer exclude them from having lack of financial assistance.
The infrastructure bill’s $15 billion could put a dent in disadvantaged communities' pipe issue, but it’s unlikely to be enough to fix the nation’s lead problem on its own. It is still our own responsibility to keep our city accountable on the lead exposure in our communities.
AUDIO
Leslie Valle explains how the infrastructure bill will help the nations pipeline issue.
By, Leslie Valle
Audio, Leslie Valle
EDUCATE YOURSELF
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