Roya Alkafaji
Manager, Healthy Communities
Work
Roya is a Manager for EDF’s Healthy Communities program. In this role, Roya supports EDF’s efforts to reduce lead exposure, specifically from drinking water. She works to ensure public health is protected through equitable lead service line replacement by working with key partners, tracking and analyzing policy related to the federal Lead and Copper Rule, and engaging with the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative where EDF is a co-founder.
Background
Roya brings several years of experience working on issues of lead in drinking water. Before joining EDF’s Healthy Communities team, Roya worked directly with water utilities supporting their efforts to address lead service lines in their systems. Prior to this, she launched and managed Illinois’ lead in water testing program for child care facilities that delivered free sampling and training to providers throughout the state.
Education
BS, Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
Publications
Pakenham, C., Alkafaji, R., and Philbrick, D. (2019). Municipal Strategies for Full Lead Service Line Replacement: Lessons from Across the United States. Illinois Municipal Policy Journal, 4(1).
Latest pieces
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Rhode Island expects LSL replacements to be ‘simultaneous and complete’ when funded by SRF
March 17, 2023
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Mapping Lead Pipes: Powerful tool helps communities find underground hazards
December 13, 2022
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EPA should ensure federal funds do not support harmful partial LSL replacements
November 8, 2022
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Successful Denver Water Lead Reduction Program seeks 12-Year extension
September 22, 2022