The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a significant allocation of $3 billion from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to assist every state and territory in identifying and replacing lead service lines, ultimately safeguarding public health and ensuring access to safe drinking water. The funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is channeled through the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the urgency of addressing lead exposure, 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.” President Biden's commitment to replacing all lead pipes in the country underscores the administration's dedication to environmental justice and public health.
The $3 billion funding is a crucial step towards achieving this goal, with Administrator Regan highlighting the importance of swiftly identifying and removing lead pipes to protect communities. The Lead Service Line Replacement Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, supported by a total of $9 billion in funding, aims to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, benefiting numerous families by ensuring clean drinking water.
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated $15 billion to address lead service lines, with a focus on providing grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities. The law mandates that a significant portion of funds be directed towards communities that have historically been underinvested in, marking a pivotal investment in long-neglected areas.
The funding announced by EPA will enable states and territories to identify and replace lead pipes, reducing exposure to lead in drinking water. States with a higher number of projected lead service lines will receive more funding, ensuring a targeted approach to addressing public health concerns.
In addition to the financial assistance, EPA is providing guidance on effectively utilizing the funding to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. The agency has also developed outreach materials to help water systems educate customers on lead exposure, service line ownership, and support in identifying potential lead service lines in their homes.
Various communities have already benefited from the initiative, with projects like lead service line replacements in Pennsylvania, development of inventories in Tucson, Arizona, and removal efforts in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. These projects are part of the broader effort to transform communities across the nation through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The allocation of funds is based on the EPA's updated Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, which provides crucial data on service line materials in the U.S. Further assessments are planned, with anticipation for initiating data collection for the 8th DWINSA in 2025.
For more details on state allotments and EPA's Lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, interested parties can visit EPA’s Drinking Water website to access comprehensive information on the initiative.
