Cities Face Costly Future After Failing To Remove Lead Pipes During Water Main Upgrades

Utilities have left portions of lead pipes intact during water main repairs, risking increased lead in tap water and harming child development.
The EPA has not mandated many cities, like Chicago with the most lead pipes, to fully replace lead pipes, though some homes exceed lead limits.
Chicago relied on water treatment instead of pipe replacement, citing insufficient funds and complicated rules, increasing lead exposure risk.
Chicago's water main program left most lead pipes untouched, though lead in water hurts kids and full replacement is cheaper overall.
Divided ownership of pipes and local policies hamper lead pipe removal, though some cities fully replace them to protect public health.