![Water bursts from a rusty pipe](https://sotp.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Water_out_from_pipe-650x367.jpg)
In 1861, Charles F. Chandler, an American chemist and the first dean of Columbia University's School of Mines, claimed The threat of lead poisoning outweighed the usefulness of lead as a construction material for water pipes. „The challenge is … to provide pipes that have all the benefits of lead and without the only major objection: the risk of lead poisoning from use,“ Chandler said in a speech at a local civic group. .
More than 160 years later, we are still plagued by toxic chemicals in our water. To that end, President Biden bipartisan infrastructure law aims to invest more than $50 billion through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace 100% of the nation's major service lines within 10 years. moreover, Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are perennial chemicals that affect human reproductive and developmental health and are “emerging toxins” targeted by governments. At this point, 5 billion dollars It has been earmarked to address emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Overall, law be expanded to cover new threats to micro plastic Also to protect water and public health.
Are these the best investments? Are they good enough?
Violations of drinking water standards are To increase, especially in schools in poor rural areas and low-resource urban areas, with visible examples such as Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Michigan. Urgent action is needed to protect children and disadvantaged communities. 56% 1 person in the U.S. population is exposed to lead levels above recommended levels limit.Causes of lead exposure Intellectual and behavioral disorders, contributing to socio-economic deprivation. In Jackson, 83% African Americans make up a large portion of the population facing continued challenges from lead-contaminated drinking water. The Flint water crisis had a devastating impact on children's health, killing nearly 30,000 children. Elementary school student Exposure to lead-contaminated water.General intellectual decline due to lead poisoning in children is estimated to harm the United States $43.4 billion annuallywhile due to lead mitigation, $50,000 Benefit amount per child/year.
There is also concern about the aging of water infrastructure. every day, 850 Water main disconnection Total annual repair costs in North America exceed $3 billion. Each break contaminates the water supply, leading to service outages. Beyond the main pipes, replacing lead pipes and fixtures can be costly for homeowners. Replacement of pipes is necessary, but requires significant labor and material costs, disrupts traffic and residential communities, and increases noise levels.
The lead pipeline can be replaced with chlorinated pvc pipe (CPVC) is a long-term solution that also resolves breaks in aging water mains. Alternatively, lead pipes can be lined with epoxy resin. This prevents lead from entering the water supply and can be completed within seconds. 12 hoursbut they have strict cleaning requirements and don't last as long as new pipes.
The third solution is Point-of-use reverse osmosis (RO) A system installed in each home. RO has been proven to be effective in removing lead, and residential RO filters remove up to 99% of lead. RO also stands out as the best choice for removing PFAS and microplastics. Of note is the major EPA findings Indicates that the RO system is effective in removing more than 90%. PFAS .
Epoxy lining is the most expensive option, followed closely by lead pipe replacement. RO stands out as being the cheapest. RO has been found to be a promising solution that can integrate microbial-targeted UV disinfection and provide high levels of removal of lead and other toxic chemicals. Our financial analysis for schools, apartments, and single-family homes shows that the long-term cost is one-third of the cost of pipe replacement, with more benefits. A common concern is that users not replacing filters may result in unsafe water. Filter maintenance is simplified with a subscription service included in your water bill.
Government funding currently budgeted for lead issues would cover three times as many people as currently covered, so consideration should be given to paying for RO installations. The increased demand for RO will create new markets such as filter manufacturing and recycling, filter performance certification, and technologies to detect and limit microbial growth. How to make informed budgeting decisions for safe drinking water as communities struggle to deal with unsafe water, where lead is a major but not the only concern. , a comprehensive strategy that considers cost, efficiency and public support is essential. Currently, government assistance only applies to pipe replacement. Currently, CPVC pipes have emerged as the most cost-effective and durable alternative to lead pipes. However, regardless of the material, pipes inevitably deteriorate, and the water passing through them gradually becomes contaminated. Therefore, to ensure complete drinking water safety, you should also focus on installing an RO system that can deal with all contaminants.
We applaud bipartisan efforts on drinking water quality, but we are proactive about the safety of the water used, rather than improving regulated utilities, as lawmakers are currently focused on. emphasizes the need to focus on We urge the EPA and state and local agencies that oversee water safety to incorporate RO treatment and point-of-use water quality verification into policies for schools and homes. It would be a mistake to spend $50 billion just on pipe replacement and not integrate RO projects for local communities. While our nation's aging and dysfunctional service lines are in need of replacement, we also need to protect our water supplies. The time has come to take action to ensure clean and safe drinking water for all.
The author of this article is Columbia Water CenterIn collaboration with Columbia Climate School's other centers and programs and strategic partners, we combine interdisciplinary academic research and solution-based fieldwork to assess, understand, and evaluate the most pressing global water challenges. Leading the intellectual search for solutions.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Columbia Climate School, Earth Institute, or Columbia University.