EPA's official reports or announcements

Biden Announces $2.6 Billion Plan to Replace All Lead Pipes in US Within 10 Years

Oct 8, 2024, 04:00 PM

President Joe Biden has announced a comprehensive plan to replace all lead pipes in the United States within the next decade. This initiative, which follows the Flint, Michigan water crisis, aims to eliminate a significant public health threat posed by lead-contaminated drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule requiring water utilities to replace these pipes, with the Biden administration pledging an additional $2.6 billion in funding to support the effort. The new regulation is part of the Biden-Harris administration's broader commitment to environmental justice and public health, particularly benefiting low-income and communities of color. The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule improvements mandate the removal of over nine million lead service lines, ensuring safer drinking water for millions of Americans. The policy is being hailed as a historic step towards protecting children's health and advancing environmental justice across the nation. Additionally, Detroit has received $90 million to meet this goal, and over 367,000 lead pipes have already been replaced under the bipartisan infrastructure law.