It is an honor to join plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians, and pipeliners everywhere in commemorating World Plumbing Day.
Everyone in America deserves the peace of mind of knowing that when they tum on their faucets, they will have clean water to drink. But for too many, that’s not the case. Countless families, schools, and businesses have their water pumped through a lead pipe, lead valve, or lead fixture, putting those who drink it at risk for brain or kidney damage. That’s wrong, and as a Nation, we have an obligation to do something about it.
My Administration has been working relentlessly to replace every single lead pipe in America. We are investing $15 billion to realize that goal, in addition to $11. 7 billion in general purpose funding from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can be used to replace lead pipes across the country. To date, we have awarded over $3.5 billion of this funding to replace hundreds of thousands of lead service lines throughout the country. These new projects are putting plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians, and pipeliners to work ripping out poisonous lead pipes and creating opportunities for their communities. As we see more shovels in the ground and more people working to ensure that every American can access safe drinking water, it sends an important message: We can do big things in this country when we work together.
I have never been more optimistic about our future than I am today, in part because of the plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians, and pipeliners who are helping to move our Nation forward. As we celebrate World Plumbing Day, let us thank these women and men for everything they do to uplift our communities.