EDF Unveils Lead Pipe Replacement Programs Map at White House Water Summit

Statement of Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President, Healthy Communities

April 23, 2024
Cecile Brown, 202-271-6534, cebrown@edf.org

(Washington D.C. – April 23, 2024) Today the White House hosted a Water Summit, covering key issues including safe drinking water, conservation, and drought. This event demonstrates the Biden Administration’s steadfast commitment to water as a vital resource, including protecting the safety of America’s drinking water with solutions to reducing harmful lead and PFAS contamination.  

In support of the event, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) unveiled its new national map of active and public programs to replace lead pipes that deliver water to homes across America. As more utilities demonstrate their efforts to replace lead pipes and reduce lead in drinking water, EDF will update the map to highlight these communities stepping up.

“Momentum is building towards eliminating the estimated 9.2 million lead pipes still in use today. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $15 billion to replace lead pipes and EPA’s proposed update to the Lead and Copper rule mandates their removal within 10 years, said Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President, Healthy Communities. “With resources available and a pending mandate, the country can reach the Biden Administration’s goal of replacing all lead pipes.”

“This map highlights the progress the country is making to get lead pipes replaced. Over 200 communities are now publicly sharing information about their ongoing efforts. We want to encourage more communities to join them.”

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One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund