If the City of Chicago is going to replace the 400,000 lead pipes that bring water to our homes during our lifetime, it has to make drastic improvements.

The process of getting the lead service line replaced at my mother’s house was arduous to say the least. After applying for the city’s Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program, she dealt with over a year of waiting, submitting documents, going downtown, and resending documents. Finally this June, after months of waiting for crews to show up with little notice, my mom was able to have her lead service line replaced.

While the union plumbers were truly kind and professional, our city officials who oversee this process need to make it much more efficient and equitable. Our communities deserve a solution to this health crisis.