On February 3, the co-Directors of our Center’s Translation Core, Drs. Marilyn Howarth and Tyra Bryant-Stephens attended an event with President Biden and Vice President Harris on the removal of lead pipes and water service lines throughout Philadelphia. Also in attendance were Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman, Governor Josh Shapiro, Mayor Jim Kenney and other local representatives and dignitaries.
The removal of lead pipes in Philadelphia is part of a larger effort put forth by the EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators Initiative. $15 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is dedicated to lead service line replacement. Philadelphia will receive $160 million to upgrade water facilities and replace over 19 miles of water mains. An additional $340 million will go to upgrade the water system including the replacement of 160 lead service lines.
PRCCEH partners and members of the Community Stakeholder Advisory Committee were also in attendance:
- Jana Curtis of Get the Lead Out Philly (introduced the President)
- Maurice Sampson of Clean Water Action
- Donna Cooper and Colleen McCauley of Children First PA
- Jerome Shabazz of the Overbrook Environmental Education Center
Check out our photos from the event!
