Officials in the upstate New York city say they have made replacing lead lined drinking water pipes a top priority. 

Local and national advocates urge the city to take immediate action to address elevated levels of lead in lines carrying tap water found in some homes. 

Biden administration announced Oct. 8 $2.6 billion more for that effort, distributed through drinking water state revolving funds and added to $15 billion funded through the federal infrastructure law.

The engineering firm said officials largely ignored its recommendations while working for the city after the lead-in-water crisis had already begun.

Agency will allow a Trump-era rule to take effect but also will propose new steps to clarify actions and boost funding to meet Biden goal of replacing 100% of nation’s lead service pipes.

Michigan unveiled a plan to push pipe replacement and toughen state drinking-water rules, but Congress adjourned without passing a federal-aid package and participants in the city’s unfolding saga traded blame at heated Washington hearings.

A report completed last March for Flint, Mich.’s emergency manager contained recommendations to inhibit pipe corrosion, which has been blamed for high levels of lead in the city’s water supply.