Removing Michigan's Lead Water Service Lines: Economic Savings, Health Benefits, And Improved Health Equity
Corwin Rhyan1, George Miller2, Elin Betanzo3
1Corwin Rhyan (Corwin.Rhyan@altarum.org), Altarum, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Health Affairs (Project Hope)
|August 7, 2023
Summary
Replacing Michigan's lead water lines offers substantial benefits. The analysis shows $1.91 billion in net savings and significant public health improvements, particularly for children, by reducing lead exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health Policy
- Health Economics
Background:
- Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule mandates water service line inventory by 2025 and lead line replacement by 2041.
- Lead service lines pose significant public health risks, especially to vulnerable populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a cost-benefit analysis of replacing lead service lines in Michigan.
- To estimate the economic and health benefits of lead service line replacement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized new inventory data to determine the number of lead service lines.
- Calculated projected replacement costs and estimated lifetime benefits from reduced lead exposure.
- Performed sensitivity analyses on replacement pace.
Main Results:
- Replacing 423,479 lead service lines is projected to cost $1.33 billion, yielding $3.24 billion in benefits.
- This results in net savings of $1.91 billion and a societal return on investment of $2.44 per dollar invested.
- Benefits are conservative, focusing on newborns and highlighting improvements in health equity for minority and low-income children.
Conclusions:
- Lead service line replacement is a cost-effective public health intervention.
- Accelerating replacement increases the societal return on investment.
- This policy effectively reduces childhood lead exposure and promotes health equity.
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