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 Dowagiac, Michigan, to identify and replace drinking water lead pipes as part of the EPA’s 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.
Dowagiac joins approximately 200 communities benefiting from this initiative, which provides technical assistance to accelerate lead pipe replacement and protect public health. The initiative addresses serious health impacts caused by consuming lead in drinking water, including irreversible harm to brain development in children.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $15 billion for replacing lead pipes and delivering clean drinking water, with nearly $62 million designated for Michigan this year alone. An additional $11.7 billion has been allocated to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for similar purposes. However, many underserved communities lack resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The Get the Lead Out Initiative aims to ensure these communities are not left behind.
"President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Dowagiac 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."
"Michigan knows all too well the dangers of lead pipes," said Senator Debbie Stabenow. "This critical partnership between the EPA and Dowagiac will help identify and replace lead pipes so that families don’t have to question whether their water is safe to drink. We’re making important progress to protect our drinking water thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act."
"In 2018 Michigan enacted the strictest lead and copper rules in the nation," said Eric Oswald, Director of the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. "We’re grateful for this federal funding that will help cities throughout the state meet these aggressive targets for lead service line removal and we’re looking forward to working with city officials and our colleagues at US EPA on the Get the Lead Out Initiative."
"Dowagiac has a rich history and is known for having beautiful older homes," said Dowagiac City Manager Kevin Anderson. "As is the case in many communities with homes built after lead pipes were banned in the '80s, we have some of the more than 9 million lead service lines that EPA estimates exist in the United States. We're proud to partner with EPA on this initiative to help ensure our community is lead-free."
Under this initiative, EPA will support Dowagiac in identifying lead pipes, developing replacement plans, increasing community outreach efforts, and applying for funding. These efforts aim to move Dowagiac towards achieving 100% lead-free pipes.
Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request it by completing a form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Background:
Signed into law in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. It dedicated over $15 billion specifically for replacing lead service lines while allocating another $11.7 billion towards general supplemental funds aimed at improving water infrastructure across various states.
EPA remains committed to ensuring every community can access their fair share of these investments through programs like Get The Lead Out Initiative.
