OIG Report: Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act grant funds
In November 2022, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a notification to the Office of Water regarding EPA’s Identification and Replacement of Lead Service Lines in Disadvantaged Communities. The focus of the audit was to determine whether the EPA distributed Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act funds to replace lead service lines in disadvantaged communities in adherence with applicable guidance. During the audit, EPA raised concerns with the auditors that they were incorrectly interpreting the information provided by the agency. However, the OIG issued a management alert on June 20, 2023. The alert indicated that EPA failed to properly monitor and accurately report the use of more than $162 million of WIIN Act grant fund.
In July 2023, OW responded with a memorandum that demonstrated that the Agency has not overspent appropriated funds and remains deeply committed to ensuring that communities have access to the resources they need to address drinking water infrastructure issues, including high priorities like reducing lead in drinking water. In September 2023, OIG retracted their management alert as a result of information and data provided by OW, outlined in the response below.
EPA will continue to work closely with states, territories, Tribes, communities, and other partners to ensure these grant programs are properly implemented and protect public health by reducing exposure to lead in drinking water and helping public water systems in small, underserved, and disadvantaged communities meet and comply with SDWA drinking water regulations.
- Management Alert Removal: Office of Inspector General Report No. 23-N-0019, The EPA Could Not Readily Identify More Than $162 Million in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act Grant Funds, issued June 20, 2023 (pdf)
- Office of Water Response to the Office of Inspector General Report: The EPA Could Not Readily Identify More Than $162 Million in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act Grant Funds (pdf)
- OIG Report: EPA Could Not Readily Identify More Than $162 Million in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act Grant Funds (pdf)
- Notification of Audit: The EPA’s Identification and Replacement of Lead Service Lines in Disadvantaged Communities Project No. OA-FY23-0037 (pdf)