EPA partners with Fostoria, Ohio to accelerate lead water pipe replacement; initiative funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aims to protect public health

Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Fostoria is joining communities across the country who are accelerating replacement of lead service lines

CHICAGO (Sept. 12, 2024) – Today, at an event in Fostoria, Ohio, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore announced a collaboration with the city of Fostoria to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate replacement and protect public health. Fostoria is participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, funded entirely by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to move the nation toward 100% lead service line replacement. The Get the Lead Out Initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.

Consuming lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean and safe drinking water, including more than $184 million for Ohio just this year alone. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also allocated another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can be used for lead pipe replacement. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out Initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Fostoria across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”

“The City of Fostoria is extremely fortunate to be able to partner with the EPA and the Get the Lead Out Initiative,” said Fostoria Mayor Don Mennel. “The project is moving quickly and efficiently. Without this team effort, we wouldn’t be this far along already.”

“Being one of only 200 communities nationwide chosen for this program is a tremendous opportunity. This initiative will help us tackle the challenging task of identifying and eliminating every lead service line in our community over time,” said Fostoria Safety Service Director Eric Keckler. “We are truly grateful to the EPA for their support and expertise in helping us achieve this critical goal.”

Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the City of Fostoria in identifying lead pipes, developing lead service line replacement plans, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding. As a result of these efforts, the City of Fostoria will move quickly toward President Biden’s goal of 100% lead-free pipes.

Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024, or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities seeking technical assistance with lead service-line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.

Background:

Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines. EPA is committed to ensuring that every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access their fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) programs, such as the Get the Lead Out Initiative. Working collaboratively, EPA is advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution are protected.