$240 million appropriated under new law aims to remove all lead in drinking water service lines by 2033

Water service lines containing lead are exposing an estimated 100,000 Minnesotans to that dangerous toxin, which can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. In children, lead can also slow development or cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems.

A new law, effective May 17, 2023, says it is the state’s goal to remove all lead service lines in public drinking water systems by 2033

It also appropriates $240 million in fiscal year 2024 from the General Fund to the Public Facilities Authority to provide grants and 0% interest loans to municipalities remove and replace lead-lined drinking water service lines. The onetime appropriation is available until June 30, 2033.

Eligible grant recipients are municipalities, community public water suppliers of a community water system, suppliers of other residential drinking water systems, and any applicant eligible for loans and grants under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Jennifer McEwen (DFL-Duluth) sponsor the law.

In Minnesota, the two most significant contributors to lead in drinking water are municipally owned lead-lined service lines and the leaded lines connecting those pipes to private households.

To safely eliminate lead in a household’s drinking water, both lines must be replaced at the same time. The law requires grant recipients to pay 100% of the cost for replacing privately owned portions of lines they replace. Municipalities awarded grant money to replace publicly owned portions of those lines must provide at least a 50% cost-share.

Applicants must submit plans to the Department of Health prioritizing their grant spending, including plans to remove lead service lines that are an imminent threat to public health and safety, target areas with children with elevated blood lead levels, and target areas with children under age 5.

Laborers and mechanics performing work on a project funded by a grant to remove and replace lead drinking water service lines and install replacement drinking water service lines must be paid the prevailing wage rate for the work.

Grant applicants who serve at least 15,000 service connections must submit a workforce plan describing how the applicant will maximize the use of registered union apprentices and populations under-represented in the construction industry in the removal and replacement work.

By Sept. 15 of each year, the authority must report to the Legislature on how grant money was distributed.

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