Shiny day in St. Paul. Leaders of the St. Paul regional water pumping plant gather around Governor Tim Walz for signing ceremony.
Grants available from $240 million pool
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz signed a bill for $240 million to remove and replace lead pipes across the state. The bill establishes grants to municipalities and public water suppliers from the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Health risk
The Minnesota Health Department that 100,000 water lines are leaching lead into the drinking water statewide. The lead can damage the brain, kidneys and nervous system. In children, lead can slow development or cause learning, behavior and hearing problems.
Verbatim
Walz: “Safe, clean drinking water is a foundational human need – and it is long past time we make it a reality for all Minnesotans. By investing in lead pipe replacement across the state, we’re taking the burden off families and homeowners and improving the health and safety of Minnesotans in every corner of the state. This is how we build a safer, cleaner future for our children and grandchildren.”