Why Isn’t Chicago Digging Up Lead Pipes?

chicago pipes
In this Jan. 27, 2008, file photo, a 36- inch water main break that crumbled pavement sending thousands of gallons of water onto a major city street. M. Spencer Green/AP, File
chicago pipes
In this Jan. 27, 2008, file photo, a 36- inch water main break that crumbled pavement sending thousands of gallons of water onto a major city street. M. Spencer Green/AP, File

Why Isn’t Chicago Digging Up Lead Pipes?

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From Milwaukee to Philly, cities around the country are updating their old and aging water systems, getting rid of the lead pipes that can put so many residents at risk. So why isn’t Chicago? 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has budgeted more than $400 million to water-related projects in an effort to modernize Chicago’s water system, but none of that money will be going to replacing the antiquated lead pipes. The Chicago Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne is in the studio to delve into Chicago’s lead problem.