(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hundreds of people in west suburban Franklin Park may see plumbers at their doors this week, as part of a stepped-up campaign to replace lead pipes bringing water into their homes.
Franklin Park is among 200 communities in the country chosen by The Environmental Protection Agency chose 200 communities across the country for its “Get the Lead Out” initiative. Among them: Franklin Park, which is getting a portion of the $241 million slated for Illinois.
Mayor Barrett Pedersen said he has been actively working on the replacement of lead pipes, but the boost in funding means it'll get done quicker.
“Legislators in Congress passed a comprehensive infrastructure bill that included the replacement of lead service pipes, that’s not only going to benefit Franklin Park but many other communities in the nation,” Pedersen said.
The $108 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed in 2021.
Franklin Park reports there are more than 1,700 homes that haven't responded to see if they have lead pipes. EPA contractors will be going door-to-door from Wednesday through Saturday to canvass the area.
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