Rep. Nunn introduces legislation to remove lead from drinking water pipes nationwide
An Iowa lawmaker introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday that would bolster funding to replace the more than 9 million lead drinking water pipes across the country.
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, and U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, introduced the Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Act, calling for common sense solutions to build safe and healthy communities.
The legislation aims to enhance already existing programs that work to improve drinking water quality for communities in need, according to a news release from Nunn’s office.
“Removing lead-lined water lines is essential to safeguarding our communities and families from the irreversible damage caused by toxic-lead exposure,” Nunn said. “The Safe Water for Disadvantaged Communities Act will make additional funding available to help underprivileged areas make necessary lead pipeline replacements to keep Iowa families safe.”
The act would increase funding made available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which when passed by the Biden administration in 2021, gave $15 billion to replace lead pipes.
Under the program, 49% are of the funds are offered as forgivable loans or grants. Nunn’s and Skyes’ proposal would be to that all money to replace lead pipes is in the form of 100% forgivable loans or grants.
“Every American, no matter where they live, should be able to access clean, safe drinking water when they turn on the tap,” Sykes said. “Yet more than 9.2 million American households connect to water through lead pipes, putting them at risk of dangerous lead exposure.”
The funds would be deposited into the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which is managed and distributed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA distributes funds based on the results of any state’s most recent Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment.
According to EPA estimates, there are 160,666 water service pipes throughout Iowa that are either lead or projected to be made of lead. In Des Moines, an estimated 20,000 homes have service lines made of lead, a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels, according to Des Moines Water Works.
“We truly appreciate Congressman Nunn’s efforts to make federal funding for lead service line replacement more accessible to Des Moines and communities across our nation,” Ted Corrigan, CEO and general manager of Des Moines Water Works, said in a statement. “This legislation will allow utilities such as ours to make money available to help customers who otherwise might not be able to replace their lead water line.”