EPA partners with Monmouth, Illinois, to replace lead water pipes; Get the Lead Out Initiative aims to accelerate replacements in 200 communities nationwide

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

CHICAGO (Sept. 19, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a collaboration with the city of Monmouth, Illinois, to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate replacement and protect public health. Monmouth is participating in the EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, which is funded entirely by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help move the nation towards achieving 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 nearly $241 million for Illinois 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 Monmouth 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.”

“Access to clean, safe drinking water is not just a basic necessity; it is a fundamental human right,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law knowing how our communities, especially those in underserved areas, continue to live with the threat of lead contaminated drinking water. By partnering with EPA to identify and replace lead service lines, Illinois communities can eliminate this public health threat once and for all.”

“Every American deserves access to clean, safe and reliable water, but all too often this neglect disproportionately affects historically underserved communities and communities of color,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “Making sure all families have access to clean water is important to me, it’s why I pushed to ensure my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act and historic levels of funding for lead service line replacement were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, I’m proud the Biden-Harris Administration’s Get the Lead Out program is continuing to prioritize getting the lead out of pipes in Illinois communities like Monmouth so we can help deliver clean water for all.”

“The initiative by the EPA will enable Monmouth to expedite the identification and location of lead water service lines throughout Monmouth’s municipal water distribution system and quicken the time to replace many of these lines into private homes,” said Monmouth Mayor Rod Davies.  “Monmouth is not a wealthy community and has many low-to-moderate income households who will definitely benefit from this federal program to protect the public health of local residents. The city would not otherwise have the resources to promptly address the serious health consequences that could otherwise be caused by not replacing these lead service lines.”

Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the city of Monmouth in identifying lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding. As a result of these efforts, Monmouth will move quickly towards the goal of 100% lead-free pipes.

EPA estimates that there are about 9 million lead service lines still in use across the country.  Communities wishing to receive 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 $15 billion to replacing lead service lines and another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. EPA is committed to ensuring 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.

As part of the Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe replacement. Through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.