The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rolled out an initiative to jump-start efforts to attain a goal of removal and replacement of 100% of lead service lines as part of its Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators program, introduced at a White House event marking the first anniversary of the Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.

According to an EPA news release, the summit brought together local and state leaders to discuss the program, and New Jersey will be among the first states to participate in the initiative. It will offer key technical aid to communities in need, replacing lead pipes that present a health risk to children and families.

“Far too many communities in the state and across the nation are still facing the challenge of replacing aging pipes, particularly in communities that have been historically underserved and overburdened,” regional administrator Lisa Garcia said in an EPA release. “This program will provide crucial support and assistance to these communities and help to address this pressing issue."

According to the EPA, New Jersey will join Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as the first states in the initiative. Officials will work with 40 communities across the four states this year, with a list of communities to be released in the next several weeks.

U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) pointed out in the EPA release that a number of towns in his Third District know the fear of being unsure of the safety of water coming into their home or business.

Kim noted that he was pleased to see the EPA’s initiative moving forward to ensure safe drinking for everyone in the Garden State, while concluding in the release that, “I look forward to keeping tabs on this project through to its conclusion because everyone deserves reliable, clean water.”