On October 8th, the EPA announced new final regulations and $2.6 Billion available in drinking water infrastructure funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

The EPA estimates that up to 9 million homes are served through legacy lead pipes across the country, many of which are in lower-income communities and communities of color, creating disproportionate lead exposure for these individuals. Through federal grants, communities affected will be able to use funding for lead pipe removal through this new program. Additional federal funding is available to support lead pipe replacement projects and EPA has developed a website identifying available funding sources.

Impacts in Indiana:

For Indiana residents, this will allow for homeowners who have lead pipes on their property to have them replaced for no cost. In the Hoosier state, many individual homeowners who live in older homes may own lead service lines or interior plumbing systems that are made of lead or include lead components. Along with providing information to customers about their lead service lines, Utility companies such as Citizens Energy Group in Indianapolis will be required to help mitigate lead exposure, including treating water to reduce the possibility of corrosion.

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) will help protect millions of Americans from exposure to lead in drinking water. The EPA has estimated that on average, every year after the LCRI is issued it will protect up to 900,000 infants from having low birthweight and reduce up to 1,500 cases of premature death from heart disease. Lead exposure can also lead to irreversible brain damage in children. This is a historic win for the Great Lakes region, as our communities contain some of the greatest number of toxic lead service lines of any region in the country. This new funding will increase the health and vitality of our drinking water infrastructure, and the people who live, work, and recreate in Northwest Indiana.