EPA Announces Partnership with City of Ferndale, Michigan, to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health

EPA Announces Partnership with City of Ferndale, Michigan, to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health

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

October 22, 2024

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 $62 million for Michigan 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.

"The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead in drinking water and protecting children and communities from exposure to this potent neurotoxin is a priority for EPA," said EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. "I am thrilled to be in Ferndale today, celebrating a joint effort to get the lead out of drinking water. As part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda, EPA is working with partners across the country to support vibrant communities and healthy children while creating good-paying jobs and supporting economic opportunity."

"The Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Ferndale 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."

"Michigan knows all too well the dangers of lead pipes," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow. "This critical partnership between the EPA and Ferndale will help identify and replace lead pipes so that families don't have to question whether their water is safe to drink. We're making important progress to protect our drinking water thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act."

"Every American deserves safe, lead-free drinking water," said Rep. Haley Stevens. "This collaboration between the EPA and the City of Ferndale, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped pass, will help make that promise a reality. I'm going to keep pushing in the Congress with my Michigan colleagues in the Get Out the Lead Caucus to continue funding great programs like these that make our communities safer and healthier."

"In 2018 Michigan enacted the strictest lead and copper rule in the nation," said Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Director Phil Roos. "Since then we have invested more than $5 billion in state and federal funding to help communities across the state replace lead service lines and make critical water infrastructure improvements. We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to getting the lead out of Michigan."

Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the city of Ferndale 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, Ferndale will move quickly towards the goal of 100% lead-free pipes.

EPA estimates that there are about nine 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 formon EPA's WaterTA website.

The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements were finalized on October 8. They require drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within ten years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes and plans for replacing them.

The Get the Lead Out Initiative could not come at a better time as EPA is already supporting communities such as the ones in Michigan to identify lead pipes, develop lead service line replacement plans, increase community outreach and education efforts, and apply for funding. As a result of these efforts, Ferndale, Ypsilanti, Dowagiac, Three Rivers, and Muskegon Heights are already on track to meet the more protective standards that EPA has set to protect people from lead in drinking water.

Background:

Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Lawprovided a historic $50 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $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 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.