Walz signs lead pipe replacement bill

A bill to create grants for replacing lead pipes across Minnesota is now law.

Gov. Tim Walz signed the legislation during a ceremony at a water treatment plant in St. Paul on Tuesday afternoon.

The bill, which had bipartisan support, allocates $240 million for lead pipe replacement grants.

It came just under a month after the governor and several other local leaders touted the bill in St. Paul. Walz was once again joined by several local leaders and state lawmakers for the bill signing.

Officials say corrosion of lead pipes can lead to increased lead levels in water, which is harmful to people, especially children. Efforts to replace lead pipes have been underway in many places for several years, including in St. Paul, but many areas still have lead pipes.