Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new round of funding aimed at replacing lead pipes in Washington as part of President Biden's commitment to ensuring safe drinking water. The $28,650,000 investment is part of the Investing in America agenda and will help in identifying and replacing lead service lines to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead exposure is known to cause severe health issues, especially in children.
The funding, made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, is a significant step towards eliminating lead pipes across the nation. This initiative aligns with the Administration's efforts to promote environmental justice and advance the Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA's Get the Lead Out Initiative.
EPA Administrator Casey Sixkiller emphasized the importance of addressing the public health crisis posed by lead in drinking water. The funding is expected to facilitate the replacement of up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, benefiting numerous families.
Various lawmakers have expressed their support for the funding, highlighting the critical need to upgrade water infrastructure to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for all Americans.
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $15 billion to replace lead service lines, with a focus on disadvantaged communities that have been historically underinvested in. The funding will specifically target lead service line identification and replacement across the country.
In addition to the funding announcement, EPA is providing guidance to states on effectively reducing lead exposure in drinking water. The agency has also developed outreach materials to help water systems educate consumers on lead exposure risks and service line identification.
For more information on the funding allocations and EPA's initiatives, visit the EPA Drinking Water website. The latest developments are based on the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, with future data collection efforts planned for further assessment.
