The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $3 billion in new funding for states through the State Revolving Fund programs to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. The EPA conducted a thorough review of previously awarded funding and assessed updated lead service line data to increase accountability and ensure funds are properly distributed to achieve maximum impact in removing lead pipes and reducing lead contamination in drinking water systems.
This funding aims to accelerate progress in finding and removing lead service lines as the agency also announces a new lead service line inventories dashboard with the latest information provided by states.
“This investment represents the EPA’s unwavering commitment to protecting America's children from the dangers of lead exposure in their drinking water,” says EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “With our updated data, we can tackle this challenge more efficiently than ever before, and we're ensuring every dollar goes directly toward replacing the lead pipes that threaten our communities. This is about giving parents peace of mind and securing healthier futures for the next generation."
The agency is also releasing new information indicating that there are fewer lead service lines nationwide than previously estimated. EPA’s updated estimate is 4 million lead service lines, down from 9 million previously estimated. This significant reduction is driven by improved data provided by service line inventories required by the first Trump Administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. The agency is releasing a new dashboard highlighting information from lead service line inventories provided by states.
EPA’s goal is to ensure these funds are deployed where they are needed most. Therefore, funding allotments will be distributed based on the best available information locating the approximately 4 million active lead service lines. EPA gathered this information from states in a lead service line inventory.
EPA is also announcing the redistribution of an additional $1.1 billion in previously announced DWSRF funding to address lead. These funds were made available to states but have not been used. Consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act’s directive to reallocate unused funds, these investments are now available to different eligible states with lead service line replacement needs.
States that have neither obligated or spent any awarded funds since at least fiscal year 2023 will be required to submit a plan to EPA detailing their strategy for expeditiously using funds to address lead before being eligible for new funding. The EPA says it is committed to ensuring that the federal funding is used effectively and efficiently to address lead challenges facing local communities. The agency will proactively work with states to ensure they are expeditiously spending this funding by making awards to water systems for lead service line replacement projects.
