The Biden-Harris Administration has issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. According to news release, the 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 $24,898,000 in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding for Idaho 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.
