The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborated with Aqua Pennsylvania and various government officials to emphasize the significance of addressing lead contamination. The focus was on identifying and replacing lead and galvanized service lines to protect public health, supported by federal investments.
In West Chester, Pennsylvania, officials marked the investment of over $4 million by Aqua in Chester County. This funding, provided through a PENNVEST loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, benefits from substantial support under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The event included a demonstration of removing and replacing a residential lead service line.
Adam Ortiz, EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, stated, “The Biden-Harris Administration believes that any risk from lead in drinking water is unacceptable, which is why we are taking a whole-of-government approach to get the lead out of our communities.”
Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca expressed pride in their role in this initiative: "We’re proud to be at the forefront of this game-changing project for our customers and we remain committed to using our expertise to get the Lead out across Pennsylvania."
Despite being banned nearly 40 years ago, approximately 9.2 million legacy lead service lines still exist nationwide. Many are found in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $15 billion to eliminate these pipes as part of President Biden's goal.
Rebecca Hayden from PENNVEST noted their efforts: "Over the past four years, PENNVEST has funded 71 projects that will, when complete, remove nearly 29,000 lead lines and lead components from water systems throughout the Commonwealth."
The EPA recently issued Lead and Copper Rule Improvements aimed at facilitating pipe replacement within ten years. These measures promise significant public health and economic benefits while creating local jobs.
Representative Chrissy Houlahan commended these efforts: “Watching the removal of lead pipes in front of a West Chester resident’s home today was so gratifying... We got to see the federal government in action through the funding of these pipe replacements.”
Additional initiatives such as Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators continue under EPA's guidance with partners like Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection participating actively.
