The grant aims to prioritize the removal of lead pipes serving childcare facilities.

Direct Link: https://www.fox19.com/2025/08/18/epa-grants-seek-remove-lead-pipes-vulnerable-areas-greater-cincinnati/
By Brenda Ordonez
Published: Aug. 18, 2025 at 4:18 PM EDT

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Crews have been working since 2018 to eliminate the approximately 35,000 lead pipes that still run through Greater Cincinnati.

While the project isn’t expected to be completed for another 10 years, a new grant may expedite the removal of the dangerous pipes from customers most at risk.

“The goal is to get that lead line out and replace it with a copper line that we know is safe,” said Bridget Patton with Greater Cincinnati Water Works.

Patton said the new funding from the Environmental Protection Agency is being used to remove lead pipes associated with 106 local childcare centers.

“Trying to maintain the safety of all the children is very valuable to us. And the fact they are doing the streets now, it all makes me feel very good,” Patton said.

Lead can seep into drinking water when the pipes corrode and according to the EPA, young kids are particularly vulnerable to lead, with low levels of exposure being linked to damaged nervous systems, learning disabilities, shorter stature or impaired hearing.

“One of my children, when we bought our first house, had lead in the paint, so some of her illnesses from the lead has caused me for the last 30 years to be concerned,” Patton explained. Patton said less than half of the 106 daycares have agreed to let crews replace their lead pipes.

“We treat our water so lead does not leach into the pipes; however, there’s no safe amount of lead, so the best remedy for lead surface lines is just to have them removed,” she explained. Patton said crews will be replacing lead pipes from daycare centers for the next 18 months.

“Please say ‘yes’,” she pleaded. “We are removing it for free; there is no cost to the provider. We will work with them around their schedule.”

“As the owner of my own home, I would have never been financially able to do this,” Patton said. “The fact they have a program designed to help us is something you just didn’t know was there but are glad it’s there.”

Residents concerned about their water can go to the Greater Cincinnati Water Works' lead website and see if lead pipes are running in their area.

You can request a free test by calling 513-651-5323.