Duluth City Council Planning Lead Pipe Replacements

The Duluth City Council is advancing their plan to replace all lead service pipes in the city to ensure all of its residents have clean drinking water.

The City Council has proposed resolutions to begin replacing the lead pipes in two neighborhoods, the Lower West Lincoln Park and Gary New Duluth areas. Each project would receive over $3.5 million in funding to replace the pipes, which would bring cleaner drinking water to nearly 400 homes in the city.

The resolutions are expected to be up for a vote in the City Council on Monday. The funding would come from state and federal sources, leaving no financial burden on residents.

According to a Northern News Now report, the city has inventoried about 90% of the service pipes and is looking to clear the last 10% so they have a better idea of what areas need lead service pipes replace.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead service pipes pose a significant risk to children in particular. They say a dose of lead that would have little effect on an adult could be linked to nervous system damage in children, learning disabilities, shorter stature, and impaired hearing. Even low levels of lead can also have a drastic health effect on pregnant women, being linked to reduced growth of the fetus and premature birth.

City of Duluth officials also recommend that residents conduct at-home lead tests and potentially purchase water filters for their sinks. If the two resolutions are approved by the City Council, replacement projects could start by this spring.