A new cost-benefit analysis reveals that replacing all of Ohio’s estimated 745,000 lead water service lines will result in fewer deaths, better physical and mental health outcomes, less water waste, and significant economic benefits for Ohioans and their communities.
The study, commissioned by the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) and completed by Scioto Analysis, demonstrates that for every dollar invested in lead service line removal in Ohio, the state will see a public health and economic benefit of $32 to $45. The complete replacement of lead pipes that carry water into Ohioans’ homes and buildings will grow the state’s economy between $145 and $185 billion over the next 15 years.
Water service lines transport drinking water to Ohioans’ homes and businesses. Pipes that are made of lead release low levels of the toxin into drinking water that lead to chronic health issues for adults and children. According to the U.S. EPA drinking water can make up 20% or more of a person’s exposure to lead.
“Getting water delivered to your home through a lead service line is like drinking your water through a lead straw. Lead in water can cause serious health problems, especially for children,” said Annalisa Rocca, Drinking Water Manager for the Ohio Environmental Council. “We need to get the lead out now.”
This is the first study to quantify the health and economic benefits of lead service line replacement for Ohioans. Specifically, the report found that full replacement of lead services over the next 15 years will lead to:
650 fewer infant deaths, leading to a monetized benefit of $4.4 billion in reduced risk of death over the 15-year time period.
Preventing the loss of an average of 1.25 IQ points each for over 290,000 children in Ohio over the next 15 years, leading to a total benefit of $8.4 billion in future earnings over the same time period.
9,700 lives saved from heart disease over the first 15 years of its implementation, generating a total of $66 billion in reduced risk of death over the 15-year time period.
3,800 fewer cases of depression, resulting in a benefit of over $290 million in reduced medical costs and productivity cost savings over the same time period.
7,300 fewer cases of anemia over the next 15 years, leading to a benefit to Ohio of $22 million in decreased morbidity and mortality costs.
2,400 cases of coronary heart disease would be avoided, a benefit of over $52 million over the 15-year time period.
520 fewer cases of dementia across the state, resulting in a benefit of over $13 million in reduced caregiver, family disruption, and medical costs over the 15-year time period.
150 fewer cases of ADHD in Ohio children, resulting in a benefit of $1.5 million in reduced medical, caregiver, and family disruption costs over the 15-year time period.
Additionally, there are significant economic and environmental benefits to updating an aging infrastructure system. Because all lead service lines are 38 years old or older, they no longer work as efficiently as possible when transporting water to Ohioans’ homes. Replacing lead lines will reduce water waste and save Ohioans an estimated $82 billion over the next 15 years.
Unfortunately, Ohio ranks as one of the top states in the country for lead service lines. As many as 8.1% of lead service lines in the country are located in Ohio, while only 3.6% of the U.S. population is in Ohio — meaning this infrastructure issue has an outsized impact on our health and economy.
There are multiple efforts underway to eliminate lead water lines that carry drinking water into our homes and buildings across Ohio. At the federal level, the Biden-Harris Administration has invested a historic $15 billion through federal programs like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with an estimated $735 million coming to Ohio for lead line replacement through 2026. At the state level, the DeWine Administration has invested $4.5 million in lead line mapping and replacement through the H2Ohio program.
Recently, Rep. Dontavius Jarrells introduced House Bill 534, Ohio‘s Lead Line Replacement Act, which would require all public water systems to fully replace lead service lines within 15 years. The legislation includes other key provisions to advance water affordability and workforce development and to support water utilities in meeting the new requirements.
“We knew that replacing lead service lines is critical for the health of Ohioans, especially Ohio’s kids, but this study shines a light on the tremendous economic benefits of doing so,” said Rocca. “The faster utilities and customers replace lead service lines, the sooner Ohioans will realize the health and economic benefits.”
Funding for Replacing Ohio’s Lead Lines: A Cost-Benefit Analysis, was generously provided by the Environmental Policy Innovation Center. For more information about lead service line replacement in Ohio, please visit OEC’s blog or check out this video.