President Joe Biden took a significant step this week toward ensuring access to clean drinking water for all Americans, announcing a new EPA rule that mandates the replacement of lead service lines across the nation within 10 years. Biden declared that his administration remains committed to “sprinting to the finish” addressing environmental justice issues and securing clean water for historically marginalized communities.
Since day one, the president said his administration has prioritized the removal of lead pipes, with he and Vice President Kamala Harris committing to replace all lead pipes within a decade. The effort, part of the administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, doubles down on their focus on protecting public health, particularly in underserved areas.
Read the latest infrastructure news
“No level of lead exposure is safe,” Biden emphasized, noting the devastating impacts of lead poisoning, especially on children and expectant mothers.
The Biden administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements will mandate lead pipe replacement across the country, making this the first-ever national requirement. Since the rule was first announced, Biden has secured $15 billion specifically for lead pipe replacement, along with an additional $11.7 billion that can be allocated to drinking water projects and lead pipe removal. The funds will be directed, in part, toward disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt of lead contamination. “We are ensuring that every American can turn on their tap and drink clean water,” Biden said.
Cities across the United States benefit from Biden’s commitment to clean water.
“Lead poisoning is a major public health issue,” Biden reiterated, pointing to the irreversible harm it causes, especially in children.
The Biden administration is also tackling toxic PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” which persist in the environment and have been linked to various health issues. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the administration has allocated $10 billion to combat PFAS contamination in drinking water. The EPA has finalized a national standard to address these chemicals, a move that will protect an estimated 100 million Americans from PFAS exposure.
Biden emphasized that his administration is “working to ensure that every community is protected from harmful contaminants,” underscoring the need for comprehensive solutions that encompass both lead and PFAS.
To further expand access to clean water, the Biden administration is also investing over $5 billion in Tribal water infrastructure, recognizing that half of Tribal households currently lack access to basic drinking water and sanitation. The administration has launched 900 clean water infrastructure projects for Tribal Nations to address this gap.
Biden’s latest clean water initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that every American has access to this basic necessity.
“The well-being of our nation depends on safe drinking water,” Biden said.
The administration’s ambitious agenda aims to modernize water systems across the country, create jobs, and foster economic stability while addressing the long-standing disparities in water access that have impacted communities of color.
“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right,” the NAACP stated, a sentiment that Biden echoed in his commitment to replace every lead pipe and safeguard this essential resource for future generations.
By: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent (Edited by subcusa.com)
