EPA announces $57M in funding for clean water in Washington schools, homes

New final regulations and new funding under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda

October 9, 2024

SEATTLE – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years.  This final rule is part of the President’s commitment to replace every lead pipe in the country within a decade, making sure that all communities can turn on the tap and drink clean water.  

Alongside the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, EPA is announcing $57,015,000 in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding for Washington through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

This funding will flow through the drinking water state revolving funds and is available to support lead pipe replacement and inventory projects. Additionally, 49% of the funding must be provided to disadvantaged communities as grant funding or principal forgiveness that does not have to be repaid.  

EPA is also announcing the availability of $35 million in competitive grant funding for reducing lead in drinking water. Communities are invited to apply directly for grant funding through this program. Additional federal funding is available to support lead pipe replacement projects and EPA has developed a website identifying available funding sources.  

“We know no amount of lead is safe to consume. And when lead service lines are present, they pose the greatest risk of lead exposure in drinking water,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “The historic funding available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, alongside the new protective measures resulting from this rule, provide water systems with the resources and tools to help ensure the safety of drinking water for future generations.” 

“Removing lead service lines in Washington state is essential for all communities to have access to safe drinking water,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Washington State Secretary of Health. “This funding will ensure that the Washington State Department of Health is able to exceed updated EPA standards to protect our communities from lead exposure by testing, replacing, and monitoring service lines from the Puget Sound to the Palouse.” 

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold for communities to take action on lead in drinking water to protect people from lead exposure. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them.  

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements will help protect millions of Americans from exposure to lead in drinking water. EPA estimates that on average, every year after the LCRI is issued it will:  

• protect up to 900,000 infants from having low birthweight 

• prevent Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in up to 2,600 children 

• reduce up to 1,500 cases of premature death from heart disease 

• and prevent up to 200,000 IQ points lost in children 

Investments in identifying lead pipes, planning for their removal, and replacing them will create jobs in local communities while strengthening the foundation of safe drinking water that supports economic opportunity. 

For more information about the final rule, including a pre-publication version of the federal register notice and fact sheets, visit the rule webpage. 

Background 

EPA is taking a comprehensive approach to getting the lead out, including: 

• Regulatory Framework: EPA’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements follow the science and EPA’s authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act to strengthen regulatory requirements to address lead in drinking water. 

• Funding: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $50 billion to support upgrades to the nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. This includes $15 billion over five years dedicated to lead service line replacement and $11.7 billion of general Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that can also be used for lead service line replacement. There are a number of additional pathways for systems to receive financial support for lead service line replacement.   

• Technical Assistance: EPA’s water technical assistance, including the LSLR Accelerators and the Get the Lead Out Initiative, helps communities identify lead services lines, develop replacement plans, and apply for funding, including DWSRF funding, to get the lead out. 

• Practical Implementation Tools: Through training, tools, webinars, and case studies, EPA provides support to drinking water systems to reduce lead exposure.