DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, announced new legislation in Washington, D.C., that would help replace lead water pipes in Des Moines, across the state and across the country. It’s called the Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Act. Nunn announced it during a press conference Thursday morning in Des Moines.

The bill would put $15 billion of federal money toward forgivable loans — local water utilities would then be able to apply for loans to replace lead water service lines. In Des Moines, Water Works says the city still has 20,000 lead lines in commission, and they need to be replaced. Water Works officials say without the federal loan, replacing the lead pipes would force them to impose a 30% increase on customer’s water bills for the next 20 years, in order to pay for the project.

Water Works is already replacing some of the lead lines as part of a pilot program.