Rep. Cleaver Applauds New EPA Rule Requiring Replacement of Lead Pipes, Announces $40.5 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Provide Clean Water to Missouri Communities

(Kansas City, MO)- Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded the Environmental Protection Agency's latest rulerequiring the replacement of all lead pipes in the United States within the next 10 years, and announced Missouri will receive $40.5 million in federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to assist in the effort to provide clean water to families, schools, and communities across the Show Me State.

"The science has been clear that any exposure to lead in our drinking water poses significant harm to our children and communities. Still, Missouri currently ranks as one of the worst statesin the nation in terms of lead services lines still in use," said Congressman Cleaver. "Today, I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for their bold, relentless work to replace the more than 9 million lead service lines still endangering Americans across the country, as well as the federal investments necessary, to the tune of $40.5 million for Missouri from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to achieve that important milestone."

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements requires drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The rule also requires more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold for communities to take action on lead in drinking water to protect Americans from lead exposure. Additionally, the rule improves communities 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.

Alongside the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, EPA is providing $40,535,000 in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding for Missouri through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will flow through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRFs) and is available to support lead pipe replacement and inventory projects. Moreover, 49% of the funding must be provided to disadvantaged communities as grant funding or principal forgiveness that does not have to be repaid. EPA is also announcing the availability of $35 million in competitive grant funding for reducing lead in drinking water. Communities are invited to apply directly for grant funding through this program. Additional federal funding is available to support lead pipe replacement projects and EPA has developed a website identifying available funding sources.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin and there is no safe level of lead exposure, particularly for children. In children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development, slow down learning, and irreversibly damage the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer. If someone is impacted by lead exposure, there is no known antidote, accordingto the Centers for Disease Control. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements strengthen nationwide requirements to protect children and adults from these significant and irreversible health effects from lead in drinking water.

"Access to safe, clean drinking water is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue-it's the right of all Americans," said Congressman Cleaver. "With this latest action and federal funding, we can continue to take the steps necessary to replace every lead pipe across the Show Me State, ensuring a safer and healthier future for kids and communities throughout Missouri."

More information about the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.