National Funding for Lead Service Line Replacement Is Essential for States with Highest Number of Lead Pipes

Kudos to NRDC and Politico for drawing attention to the fact that current, much-needed lead service line replacement funding allocations aren’t targeted to states that need it most. Inside EPA has also been covering these concerns. The historic $15 billion for lead service line replacement may not go as far as it could if not allocated effectively.  

Funding for lead service line replacement is currently being allocated to states using EPA’s 2018 assessment that surveyed states on their drinking water infrastructure needs but didn’t include any estimates of the number of lead service lines. EPA is due to finalize a new Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment this year, but in the meantime announced state allocations based on the 2018 document. These allotments are based on a variety of factors, but the number of lead service lines is not one of them.  

Using EPA’s 2018 published allotments for the first round of lead service line replacement funding means the states with the most lead service lines—like Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio—will receive far less per lead line than states with fewer lead service lines. The funding isn’t prioritized to the states with the greatest need and greatest ongoing public health risk from lead service lines. States with a small number of lead service lines are getting as much as $10,000 per line, and states with the most lead service lines are getting as little as $151 per line which will barely make a dent for states like Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. Recent increases in construction costs indicate that most lead service line replacements will cost more than $5,000 a piece. 

Action must be taken as soon as possible to ensure equity in state funding of lead service line replacements. EPA needs to release the new Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment as soon as possible so the second round of allocations will be distributed according to lead service line replacement need.  

If EPA isn’t able to release its updated data before the second round of funding is ready for distribution, Congress will need to change the allotment formula to prioritize lead service line money to the states with the most lead service lines to ensure funding goes where it's needed most.