Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a collaboration with the city of Kewanee, Illinois, to identify and replace drinking water lead pipes as part of the Get the Lead Out Initiative. This initiative is fully funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and aims to achieve 100% lead service line replacement nationwide. Approximately 200 communities will receive technical assistance through this program.
Lead in drinking water poses significant health risks, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To address this issue, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $15 billion for lead pipe replacement and clean water delivery. Many underserved communities lack resources for planning and accessing federal investments for such projects. The technical assistance from the Get the Lead Out initiative aims to ensure no community is excluded from these opportunities.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Kewanee across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
Senator Dick Durbin emphasized that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right: “Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law knowing how our communities, especially those in underserved areas, continue to live with the threat of lead-contaminated drinking water. By partnering with EPA to identify and replace lead service lines, Kewanee can eliminate this public health threat once and for all.”
Senator Tammy Duckworth highlighted her efforts: “Making sure all families have access to clean water is important to me; it’s why I pushed to ensure my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act and historic levels of funding for lead service line replacement were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I’m proud to see my provisions and the EPA helping communities like Kewanee achieve our goal of removing every lead pipe in America over the next decade.”
Representative Eric Sorensen also expressed his support: “Our neighborhoods are a special place to raise a family, and it is important that those families have access to the resources they need to thrive... I am excited that through funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA will be working with the City of Kewanee to remove the lead from pipes and upgrade drinking water infrastructure.”
City Manager Gary Bradley acknowledged EPA's support: “We appreciate the technical assistance provided by EPA... Being one of just 200 communities in the program shows how big of a need our community has.”
The Get the Lead Out initiative will assist Kewanee with identifying lead pipes and educating residents about them. This effort aligns with President Biden’s goal of achieving 100% lead-free pipes.
Under new regulations known as Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, public water utilities must maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024. Communities seeking assistance can complete a request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Signed into law in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a $50 billion investment in water infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion specifically for replacing lead service lines. The EPA aims to ensure equitable access to these funds through programs like Get the Lead Out.
As part of its broader strategy under President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, EPA intends to protect disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by pollution through collaborative efforts aimed at removing barriers related to lead pipe removal.
EPA remains committed to providing community support via peer exchange programs while developing tools and case studies for best practices sharing among various stakeholders involved in managing water systems.
