EPA and partners get the lead out in New London

EPA and partners get the lead out in New London

Nearly $7 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to replace 150 lead service lines and complete lead service line inventory

August 23, 2024

NEW LONDON, CONN. (Aug. 23, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash was in New London today along with federal, local and state partners to celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for the City of New London, Connecticut for lead service line replacement as well as progress made in the effort to replace the city's entire lead service line system.

"Protecting children and families by reducing lead exposure is a top priority for EPA," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Thanks to federal funding, and the City of New London's initiative to proactively replace lead service lines in their community, New Londoners will no longer have to worry about what's in their water when they turn on the tap."

Thanks to EPA's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, the Connecticut Department of Public Health allotted the City of New London a $6,949,213 loan, including $4,377,609 in principal forgiveness. This funding will help replace approximately 150 lead service lines, with this phase of the project being halfway complete thus far, as well as complete the city's lead service line inventory. This funding will further the City of New London's goal to replace approximately 500 lead service lines within the New London Department of Public Utilities distribution system.

In addition, the City of New London is one of ten Connecticut communities selected for the Lead Service Line Accelerator program. The LSLR Accelerator program provides targeted technical assistance services to help underserved communities access funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This technical assistance includes developing lead service line replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, and increasing community outreach and education efforts. Connecticut is one of the first four states to be selected under the LSLR Accelerator program and will help develop best practices and creative approaches that can serve as a roadmap to the rest of the country.

What They Are Saying

"This nearly $7 million funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will eliminate more than 150 water supply lines that contain lead, a pernicious poison that can cause crippling damage to children and families," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. "These new pipes will significantly advance New London's goal of replacing all water service lines, which will give everyone peace of mind that the water coming out of their tap is safe and healthy to drink. I am thrilled to see the EPA make this investment in New London and will keep fighting for federal funds to replace lead service lines and protect our drinking water."

"No one in Connecticut should have to worry about lead poisoning when they turn on the tap," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. "This $6.9 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us replace about 150 old lead pipes in New London and complete the city's lead service line removal project so every household can continue to count on reliable access to safe, clean drinking water."

"The federal Infrastructure law I voted to pass in 2021 continues to provide New London with much-needed resources to ensure every child and family has lead-free drinking water. As was made clear by today's site visit, the federal resources the City received has supercharged its goal to be the first municipality in Connecticut to eliminate 100% of its lead service lines. Kudos to Mayor Passero for serving as a state-wide example on how municipalities can put federal infrastructure funding to work on behalf of our communities," saidU.S. Representative Joe Courtney.

"The City of New London serves as a wonderful example to the entire state as they continue to make progress on the replacement of these lead service lines," Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said. "Harmful lead exposure is 100% preventable and should not happen to any child. Lead pipes carrying drinking water pose a significant health risk, so it is our responsibility to provide residents with adequate educational information to reduce their risk to exposure to lead from drinking water. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are taking major steps forward by investing in our communities so that every child-including those in our most vulnerable communities-can grow up safe from lead."

"The City got in front of the new lead regulations and was able to secure funding early to move this historic project forward quickly. The first of its kind in the state, this project plays a major role in improving the health of our residents," said New London Mayor Michael E. Passero. "Strategic planning has put the city at the forefront of lead pipe removal from our drinking water system and helped secure significant funding subsidies to accomplish the goal."

Background

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for too long. EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding announced today will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help every state and territory fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.

This spring, the Biden-Harris administration announced over $28 million for Connecticut lead pipe replacement to advance safe drinking water. This nearly $7 million for New London is part of nearly $100 million allocated to Connecticut to-date from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement allotments.

More information:

For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA's lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, please visit EPA's Drinking Water website.

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