Press Release

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OEC Applauds Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the ambitious Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan aimed at accelerating the replacement of lead water pipes over the next decade while focusing on disadvantaged communities. The Biden-Harris Administration’s plan will be supported by $15 billion of direct funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over the next 5 years for lead service line replacements.

Agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will collaborate and leverage resources to deliver clean drinking water, remediate lead paint, and replace lead pipes. Today’s announcement also signaled that the recently updated Lead and Copper Rule, an EPA rule intended to protect drinking water from lead contamination, will immediately go into effect with new guidance for state implementation.

Other key highlights of this historic plan include, but not limited to:

  • Disbursing $2.9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for lead pipe replacement to states, tribes and territories in 2022. Of these funds, Ohio will receive $71 million specifically earmarked for lead service line replacement.
  • Developing additional rulemaking to strengthen key provisions of the Lead and Copper Rule to be completed by 2024.
  • Publishing guidance for local water systems that will outline critical steps to achieve 100% lead service line replacement.
  • Creating a new cabinet-level partnership for lead remediation in schools and child care centers. 

In response, the following quote can be attributed to Melanie Houston, Drinking Water Director for the Ohio Environmental Council:

“We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for launching an ambitious plan to speed up efforts to protect Ohioans from lead in our drinking water and our homes. As of 2021, Ohio ranks second in the nation for the number of lead service lines connecting residents’ plumbing systems to the water utility’s main water lines under the street. All Ohioans deserve access to clean and safe drinking water. The Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan will help move our state closer to this reality.”

 

For more information on the need for lead service line replacement in Ohio, please visit the Ohio Environmental Council’s resource page.