Healey-Driscoll Administration Receives $50 Million in Federal Funding to Remove Lead Service Lines Across Massachusetts
BOSTON– Today, the Biden-Harris Administration awarded more than $50 million in funding for Massachusetts cities and towns to help identify and replace lead service lines and prevent exposure to lead in drinking water. Following advocacy by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, federal delegation, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, the federal funding announced today is an increase over the $33.7 million in lead service line funding allocated in fiscal year 2023 but presents a gap between the identified funding needs in Massachusetts. The Healey-Driscoll Administration will continue to work with federal, state, and local agencies in order to fully fund the lead service line replacement program.
“We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration's willingness to engage with states on important environmental and public health issues, particularly one with such widespread and acute impacts as lead in drinking water,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re looking forward to continued collaboration with federal partners to identify more funding avenues to build on these investments so Massachusetts can continue its nation-leading work to protect the environment and public health.”
“As a former mayor, I know how challenging it can be to address these types of infrastructure challenges,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, cities and towns across Massachusetts will have significantly more resources to continue plugging away at the necessary upgrades to protect the health of its residents. Our Administration will continue to search for additional funding to complete the job.”
In February, Governor Healey, Attorney General Campbell, and Treasurer Goldberg submitted a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging him to reconsider the new grant formula that had reduced lead service line replacement funding to Massachusetts by more than $30 million. The letter identified Massachusetts’ unique needs for lead remediation funding based on the high percentage of housing stock from before 1940, when the use of lead in service lines was prevalent and emphasized how the effects of this today cause disproportionate lead exposure in communities of color. Massachusetts received $65.7 million in fiscal year 2022 but was only allocated $33.7 million for 2023 and future years of the program under the EPA’s new methodology. Following advocacy from Massachusetts and other states, the EPA allowed states a onetime opportunity to submit additional data, resulting in Massachusetts’ boosted allotment of $50 million.
Massachusetts has leveraged federal Bipartisan Infrastructure money to address lead service line issues, including commitments since 2022 of more than $59 million for lead remediation projects. This funding has supported needs assessments and action plans in 121 Massachusetts communities and has financed $30 million in remediation projects.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Administrator Regan have been leaders in making federal funding available to address harmful drinking water contaminants, particularly lead, which has no safe level,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As a state with some of the oldest infrastructure in the country, this funding is desperately needed, especially in our environmental justice communities. But we will continue seek ways to fully fund local lead line replacement efforts.”
“Thank you to President Biden for your commitment to removing harmful contaminants from our drinking water, and to Administrator Regan for recognizing Massachusetts's demonstrated needs and effectiveness in using federal dollars to remediate lead contamination in our water infrastructure,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We will continue to work closely with our Massachusetts congressional delegation and federal partners to ensure the lead service line replacement program has the funding it requires to address these critical needs.”
The funding awarded under President Biden’s $3 billion Investing in America initiative will provide significant grants through the Massachusetts Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Program. Under the Revised Lead and Copper Rule set to take effect in October, the EPA is also requiring local public water systems to investigate the number of lead service lines in their water distribution system and report those findings to the state agency that oversees drinking water – in Massachusetts that is the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
“Keeping drinking water safe is core to the mission at MassDEP,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “While we've been national leaders in lead remediation, there is more work to be done. Our team is ready to get these federal dollars into the hands of communities in need so that they can continue the work of keeping drinking water clean and safe for all.”
More information on the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund Lead Service Line Program can be found on MassDEP’s
website.
“No matter where you live, everyone deserves clean drinking water,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “This $50 million in funds from the Biden-Harris administration is a much-needed investment to replace lead pipes and keep Massachusetts families safe. I’ll continue working in close partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to secure additional federal resources we need.”
“Our Commonwealth has a high lead service line burden due
to the age of our housing stock, and we know lead exposure is an environmental
justice issue, as it disproportionately affects Black, Brown, and Indigenous
communities,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “Massachusetts is receiving $50
million in federal investment thanks to President Biden and the landmark
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed in Congress, but we know much more is
needed to identify and replace all remaining lead pipes across the Commonwealth
to ensure public health safety. Together with the Healey-Driscoll
administration, we will keep fighting to secure Massachusetts’ fair share from
the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations.”
"I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for responding to our advocacy and providing these funds, which will support healthy and safe communities across the Commonwealth by allocating additional funding to replace the lead pipes that contaminate our drinking water with the urgency our residents deserve," said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.
“This is a critical investment from the Biden-Harris Administration. These resources will provide increased access to safe drinking water which is so necessary for positive health outcomes across our state,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. “We will continue to advocate for additional funding for this program, as it is an essential need for the basic well-being of every Massachusetts resident, particularly those who are most vulnerable.”
MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s
natural resources – air, water and land – to provide for the health, safety and
welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future
generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and
advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth; to
provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency
decisions that affect their lives; and to ensure a diverse workforce that reflects
the communities we serve.
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