EPA announces $3B to replace lead service lines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $3 billion to help states and territories across the U.S. identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. This initiative is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is available through EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).

The EPA is working with the State Revolving Funds to advance the Justice40 Initiative, which ensures more than 40 percent of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families. The $9 billion in total funding announced to date through EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement DWSRF program is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, securing clean drinking water for countless families.

“The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan says. “President Biden understands it is critical to identify and remove lead pipes as quickly as possible, and he has secured significant resources for states and territories to accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all.”

EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead service lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment.

The Lead Service Line-specific formula allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible. The formula and allotments are based on need, meaning states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding.

In April, Germany-based Weiland Group introduced lead-free brasses with its new SZ product family. The company notes stricter requirements and rising demand for green products prompted it to develop the new lead-free copper alloys.