West Chester, Pa (October 21, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined leaders from Aqua Pennsylvania, state Senator Carolyn Comitta, and federal, state, and local officials to discuss the importance of taking action against lead, specifically with regards to identifying and removing lead and galvanized service lines, protecting public health, and the federal investments expediating these efforts.
Officials gathered today in West Chester, Pennsylvania to celebrate over $4 million being invested by Aqua throughout parts of Chester County. The loan, administered by PENNVEST, is from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund which has received substantial funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As part of the celebration, officials were able to see first-hand the removal and replacement of a residential lead service line.
“The Biden-Harris Administration believes that any risk from lead in drinking water is unacceptable, which is why we are taking a whole-of-government approach to get the lead out of our communities,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. “With each dollar invested, each home surveyed, and each pipe replaced, we’re one step closer to removing all lead pipes within the next ten years.”
“We’re proud to be at the forefront of this game-changing project for our customers and we remain committed to using our expertise to get the Lead out across Pennsylvania,” said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca. “This important work proves we’re always ready and willing to take the extra step to protect our customers. I’d like to thank PENNVEST for its partnership on this project and so many others.”
Despite their installation being banned nearly 40 years ago, there are still an estimated 9.2 million legacy lead service lines delivering water in cities and towns across the country, many of which are in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering $15 billion across the country to remove these lead pipes, in line with President Biden’s goal of removing 100% of lead service lines.
“Over the past four years, PENNVEST has funded 71 projects that will, when complete, remove nearly 29,000 lead lines and lead components from water systems throughout the Commonwealth”, said Rebecca Hayden, PENNVEST Project Manager for the Eastern tier or Pennsylvania. “With significant federal funding – $268 million – and active public and private partners ready to do the work, PENNVEST is honored to play a role in keeping our communities and environment safe.”
Earlier this month, the EPA issued Lead and Copper Rule Improvements which establishes achievable, common-sense practices to identify and replace lead pipes within ten years. The public health and economic benefits of the final rule are estimated to be up to 13 times greater than the costs, and together with new funding, water systems will be able to accelerate removal of lead pipes and create good-paying local jobs in the process.
“Watching the removal of lead pipes in front of a West Chester resident’s home today was so gratifying, and I commend the EPA team that made this project happen,” said Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). “We got to see the federal government in action through the funding of these pipe replacements, the Commonwealth in action through the designation of funds, and AQUA and its partners in action removing lead pipes and replacing them with copper pipes delivering safe and clean water.”
“I want to thank the EPA, the Biden-Harris administration, Rep. Houlahan, PennVEST, and Aqua Pennsylvania for providing the resources, making the commitment, and forging the partnerships to remove lead service lines and ensure our drinking water is safe and clean. This is an investment in our economy and the health of our communities for our families, children, and grandchildren,” said state Senator Carolyn Comitta, Minority Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
In addition to significant investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA also has several programs and initiatives to further progress to identify, remove, and replace lead service lines such as the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators and Get The Lead Out programs both of which the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is a partner.