Chicago must replace every toxic lead pipe connecting homes to water mains within two decades — an aggressive deadline imposed this week by President Joe Biden after his administration initially proposed giving city officials twice as long to complete the job. [Chicago Tribune]

The more stringent requirement is part of a broader package of changes in federal regulations intended to protect Americans from a metal so dangerous it is unsafe at any level of exposure.

More than 9 million homes nationwide get drinking water from a service line made of lead. Chicago has more than 400,000 of the toxic pipes, by far the most of any U.S. city. Illinois has more than any other state.

Biden, who will speak about the new regulations Tuesday in Wisconsin, promised during his 2020 campaign to accelerate service line replacements after decades of inaction from federal and state officials. One of the big infrastructure bills his administration brokered with Congress earmarked $15 billion toward the effort. Billions more will be needed in Chicago alone.

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