WASHINGTON, D.C. – Edgerton City Administrator Ramona Flanigan was in attendance at an event at the White House today, where Vice President Kamala Harris announced the founding of the Biden-Harris Get the Lead Out Partnership , a network of more than 100 communities and organizations that have committed to seven principles that will quicken and guide the replacement of harmful lead water pipes across the United States.


Key principles of the partnership call for accelerating the full replacement of lead pipes from street to house, prioritizing replacements in overburdened and underserved communities, and ensuring that residents get new water lines without added financial burdens.

The City of Edgerton’s effort to replace 75 percent of its private lead service lines in 2021-22 was highlighted in the official fact sheet from The White House.


In November the Edgerton City Council approved a resolution to replace all remaining private lead lines within five years using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and funds provided by water utility rate payers. More than $1 million in principal forgiveness funding was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 2021 and 2022.


Vice President Harris convened the White House Summit on Lead Pipe Replacement, where Flanigan and other municipal leaders and founding partners heard the Administration’s commitment to supporting full replacement of all lead pipes within 10 years.


“I commend the leadership and innovation our city staff, city council, and utility commission members have shown to provide safe drinking water for our residents,” said Edgerton Mayor Christopher Lund. “I am very proud that Edgerton has been recognized for its work on this issue on the national stage.”


“I especially want to thank City Administrator Ramona Flanigan and City Council member Casey Langan. None of this would have happened without them,” Lund said.

“Ramona initiated and successfully sought funding to replace Edgerton’s lead pipes,” Lund added. “Casey works in the conservation field, and advanced Edgerton’s story to his colleagues at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center .

“Replacing all of America’s six to 10 million lead pipes is a solvable problem in a generation or less,” said Timothy Male, Executive Director of the Environmental Policy Innovation Center. “No one should have to live with the threat of lead in their drinking water.”


The Environmental Policy Innovation Center, the State of Wisconsin, and cities of Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, and Wausau are among the 123 inaugural members of the Partnership.


The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that six to 10 million lead pipes currently deliver drinking water into U.S. homes and businesses, putting millions at risk for harms, including permanent neurological damage and coronary heart disease.

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