ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Biden administration released a new rule requiring updates be made to lead water pipes throughout the United States.
The 10-year deadline will begin after a three year warning period. However, the transition could come at a high price.
"An estimated cost—you know, millions," Rock Island Utilities Superintendent Jason Upton said, "and we are just one city in Illinois."
He says although the city has been working over the last couple years to identify and remove lead pipes, there is still work to be done.
"We're trying to apply for funding, but so is everyone else," Upton said.
The city is partnering with Augustana College to search for and replace lead water pipelines. He says the city wants to work alongside the community be the responsibility falls on the homeowner to update their service lines.
Upton estimated it could cost nearly ten thousand dollars per household to change.
"Whether it be covering a percent of the cost, or half of the cost, or some of the cost, we really haven’t got that point yet because we haven't got a good number. We haven’t gotten the unknown value down," Upton said.
Upton says there are thousands of lead pipes alone in Rock Island, and the city hopes to begin removal in 2027.
"Some of the constraints we have to plan for in the Quad Cities is the number of plumbers who can do these replacements," he said. "Is there enough plumbers who can cover the replacements and the everyday needs?"
He encourages members of the community to help them identify service lines and stay calm as the city is proactive in testing the water supply.
"We do add a phosphate to our water, and we do the regular testing through the state," Upton said.
"Every three years we are doing lead testing, and what we found is we don’t have any high results. So, we have had nothing that has exceed the number that the U.S EPA put out.”
Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported Chicago leads the nation as the city with the most lead pipes.