The City of Newton is getting $50,000 to replace lead water lines in low-income homes. The grant funds are from the Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund Board. The City of Newton applied for the financial assistance to supplement the Very Low-Income Water Line Replacement Program. 

Lucas Young at Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund says the grant requires a local match of $13,900. Funds will go to water line replacement for households with incomes at or below 80% Area Median Income. To meet region-wide targets, $12,000 will be used to benefit households at or below 30% of the Area Median Income.

The Environmental Protection Agency says lead water lines pose serious dangers as lead leaches into drinking water, which could cause irreversible neurological damage, developmental issues, and learning problems in children. There’s also an increased risk of high blood pressure, kidney damage, and reproductive issues in adults.