WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced Oklahoma will receive $27,456,000 to locate and replace lead pipes, to protect state residents from exposure to lead in drinking water.
This investment will be sent directly to the state via the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
The funding will go toward finding and replacing lead pipes (also known as lead service lines) that transport water to homes. Communities can use the funds for identifying lead pipes, planning removal projects, and funding replacement of lead service lines.
Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that is especially harmful to children. Each lead service pipe removed and replaced delivers real, tangible human health benefits, officials report.
“An investment in removing lead pipes is an investment in America’s children and families,” EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer said. “The Trump EPA is committed to tackling lead exposure and this $2.9 billion will help protect current and future generations across America by accelerating local efforts to find and replace toxic lead pipes.”
“This funding will help keep children safe from lead exposure, give parents peace of mind, and protect the next generation of Americans,” said EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason. “EPA will continue prioritizing policies and actions that ensure every American has reliable access to clean water.”
Providing clean, safe drinking water is a priority for the EPA, and reducing exposure to lead is a critical piece of ensuring clean water for all Americans.
Drinking Water State Revolving Funds are financial assistance programs run by states to help water systems achieve the health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act. In Oklahoma, the Department of Environmental Quality administers the DWSRF and the Water Resources Board assists with the financing requirements of the program.
EPA officials said the agency distributed funding based on the best available information on the location of approximately four million lead service lines across the nation. Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana received the same amount of money as Oklahoma: $27.456 million; Texas received $76.607 million.
The EPA will work with states to ensure the funding is promptly provided to communities to support efforts to reduce exposure to lead through drinking water, Mason said.