Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a collaboration with the village of South Holland, Illinois, to identify and replace drinking water lead pipes as part of the Get the Lead Out Initiative. This program is funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and aims to achieve 100% lead service line replacement nationwide. The initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities across the country.
Consuming lead in drinking water can cause severe health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To address this issue, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean drinking water, including nearly $241 million for Illinois this year alone. An additional $11.7 billion has been allocated to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for similar purposes.
"President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like South Holland 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."
Senator Tammy Duckworth highlighted that historically underserved communities are often disproportionately affected by neglect: "Making sure all families have access to clean water is important to me... I’m proud the Biden-Harris Administration’s Get the Lead Out program is continuing to prioritize getting the lead out of pipes in Illinois communities like the Village of South Holland."
Congresswoman Robin Kelly expressed pride in her role in passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: "The investment toward South Holland's water infrastructure will have a huge impact on the community and ensure people's health and safety."
South Holland Mayor Don De Graff stated: "We share a common goal of 100% lead-free, and the GLO Initiative is a strategic partnership to achieve that goal expeditiously."
Under this initiative, EPA will assist South Holland with identifying service line materials through methods such as hydrovacuum excavation at some locations. The agency will also help develop a lead service line replacement plan, increase community outreach efforts, and apply for funding.
EPA estimates there are about 9 million lead service lines still in use across the country. Communities seeking assistance with lead service line replacement can request help via EPA’s WaterTA website.
Signed into law in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. EPA remains committed to ensuring every community can access their fair share of this investment through programs like Get the Lead Out.
