Why removing Chicago's lead service lines for water will take time

It could take the city up to 40 years to replace all of the lines that are worrying residents and officials.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there are 9.2 million lead service lines carrying water into homes and businesses across the U.S. 

An alarming health statistic to experts, as scientists say "there is no safe level of lead exposure."

In November the EPA announced a proposal that looks to replace all lead pipes leading to households in the U.S. within the next 10 years. It would also improve sampling protocols used by public water systems. All of this, a monumental task, especially for cities like Chicago.

"We're number one in the country, 400,000 lead service lines. And I think this it's incumbent upon this administration, as well as this city council, to take the lead on this and finally address this issue that's been plaguing our community for decades," said Gilbert Villegas, the alderman of Chicago's 36th ward.

Villegas says finding the money to make this happen is going to be a challenge. Nearly $50 billion has been allocated by Congress to upgrade the nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Of that $50 billion, $15 billion has been dedicated to replacing lead service lines.