The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $3 billion in new funding for states through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. This initiative aims to remove lead pipes, also known as lead service lines, which are a significant source of lead contamination in water systems. Lead is particularly harmful to children, and the EPA is committed to addressing this issue.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said, "This investment represents the EPA’s unwavering commitment to protecting America's children from the dangers of lead exposure in their drinking water." He emphasized that with updated data, the agency can more efficiently replace lead pipes and ensure funds are used effectively.
In addition to the new funding, $1.1 billion of previously allocated but unused funds will be redistributed among states with pressing needs for lead service line replacement. Jess Kramer, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water, described the announcement as beneficial for both drinking water systems and children's health. "Today’s announcement is a win-win for drinking water systems and for the health and futures of our nation’s children," she said.
The Trump Administration had initiated efforts to tackle lead in drinking water by issuing regulations under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. The EPA now estimates there are 4 million active lead service lines nationwide, down from an earlier estimate of 9 million due to improved data collection.
The agency has introduced a new dashboard featuring information from state-provided inventories of lead service lines. Funding will be allocated based on this data to target areas most in need. States that have not utilized their awarded funds since at least fiscal year 2023 must submit plans detailing how they will use these resources before receiving additional funding.
For further details about the DWSRF program, visit https://www.epa.gov/dwsrf.
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