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Iowans expect their drinking water to be clean and safe, but some drinking water pipes contain lead that can leach into the water. Lead contamination can cause IQ loss, as well as risks of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and other adverse effects. In Iowa, 76% of children under age six had detectable levels of lead in their bloodstream, the fourth-worst in the nation.
Iowans with low income and people of color are disproportionately exposed to the risks of lead-contaminated drinking water. IEC is calling on the state to ensure that this funding targets communities with low incomes and people of color who have faced disproportionate risks of lead exposure. In Des Moines, for example, many potential lead service lines are in neighborhoods with a higher percentage of people of color.
Iowa will receive more than $110 million to address water infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the bipartisan infrastructure law). This investment is a chance to address problems we have known about for years but have not had the resources to address. One of the key issues is lead in drinking water.
The funding includes nearly $45 million to address lead service lines that pollute drinking water for Iowans across the state. These lead service lines exist in rural and urban water systems, presenting a drinking water risk for Iowans across the state.
Contact Iowa DNR Director Kayla Lyon today to express your support for the DNR to inventory lead service lines for drinking water in Iowa using these funds.
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