The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a significant investment of $28,650,000 from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to assist Rhode Island in identifying and replacing lead service lines, ultimately safeguarding public health and ensuring safe drinking water. The funding, made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), aims to advance the administration's commitment to environmental justice and eliminate exposure to lead in drinking water.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the urgency of replacing lead pipes, stating, "The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes." He commended President Biden for securing resources to expedite the removal of dangerous lead pipes nationwide.
Rhode Island officials welcomed the federal funding, with U.S. Senator Jack Reed highlighting the importance of addressing lead hazards and eliminating childhood lead exposure. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse also underscored the significance of upgrading water infrastructure to provide safe drinking water for all residents.
Representative Seth Magaziner expressed the necessity of replacing aging lead pipes to protect community health, while Congressman Gabe Amo praised the allocation of funds for lead pipe replacement as a crucial step towards ensuring safe water for every household in Rhode Island.
Seema Dixit, Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, emphasized the collaborative effort between the federal government, the state, and local water systems to achieve the goal of providing clean and safe drinking water to all Rhode Islanders.
The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is part of a larger initiative to replace every lead pipe in the country. Through this program, up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide are expected to be replaced, benefiting numerous families and communities.
The funding allocation is specifically designated for lead service line identification and replacement, with a focus on disadvantaged communities that have historically been underinvested in. The EPA's formula for allotting funds ensures that states with higher numbers of projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding, furthering the goal of nationwide public health protection.
In addition to the financial support, EPA is releasing new guidelines to help states effectively reduce lead exposure in drinking water and is providing resources for water systems to educate customers on lead issues and service line ownership.
The Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to removing lead pipes has already made a positive impact across the nation, and the latest funding will continue to advance projects aimed at ensuring clean and safe drinking water for all.
