Chicago’s Water Inequality

84% of Chicago’s Pipes contain lead with Black and Latino Communities being disproportionately affected by this fatal contamination. Chicago has the highest number of lead water service lines in the nation and communities with large minority populations have the highest concentration. Majority Black neighborhoods require 89% of water service lines to be replaced, while communities with large Latinx communities require 92% of their service lines to be replaced. This is a stark contrast to majority white communities that require 74% of their lines to be replaced. The replacement program faces many barriers like lack on internet access, water shut-offs, poor plumbing infrastructure, and a lack of disposable income that leave many Americans struggling to replace their lead lines. Our Health Equity champions alternative solutions to costly and ineffective lead line replacement programs, like Folmar Pipe Protection™, that make the goal of lead free water a reality faster regardless of your neighborhood. Read more here.