ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Jan. 27, 2023 — Today, City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor attended a “Guiding Principles to Reduce Lead and Protect Families and Communities” White House event, which highlighted Ann Arbor, and other communities, models for success in rapidly reducing and eliminating lead service lines. FACT SHEET:  Biden-?Harris Administration Announces New Actions and Progress to Protect Communities From Lead Pipes and Paint, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/01/27/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-and-progress-to-protect-communities-from-lead-pipes-and-paint/.

“We are so excited to partner with the Biden-Harris Administration to eliminate the threat of lead in drinking water,” said City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. “The City of Ann Arbor will do its part to improve public health and deliver safe, high-quality drinking water through accelerated lead service line replacement. By leveraging data from our meter replacement program to identify galvanized lines and with the crucial support of American Rescue Plan funding, the city has expedited replacement of 25% of its known private lead service lines."

Ann Arbor began replacing city-owned lead pipes and galvanized service lines several decades ago, completing that project in 2016.

The 2018 update to Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule extended drinking water system removal responsibility to private water services lines that are or were connected to lead by 2041.

In 2019, City Staff identified and inventoried private galvanized service lines in our community by leveraging the city's residential meter replacement program. To date, more than 300 private galvanized service lines have been replaced utilizing local funds and Biden-Harris American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

Staff estimates that the City can replace the remaining 1,000 private galvanized service lines by 2030, pending funding availability, but well ahead of the 2041 deadline.

More information about Ann Arbor’s Lead and Copper Replacement project, visit the city’s website at www.a2gov.org/lcr