Biden-Harris Administration Announces Partnership With 10 New Jersey Communities To Accelerate Lead Service Line Replacement As Part Of Investing In America Agenda

New partnership will help communities access funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for lead service line removal and replacement

Today in New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox announced a partnership with the State of New Jersey to assist 10 communities in accelerating progress toward lead service line identification and replacement, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to deliver clean drinking water to families and children, and EPA’s “Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators” initiative. This initiative, which is in partnership with the Department of Labor and New Jersey, will work to provide targeted technical assistance services to help underserved communities reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and to protect health of New Jersey children and families.

“There is no safe level of exposure to lead,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “That’s why President Biden has called for 100% removal of lead pipes, and EPA is partnering with 10 New Jersey communities to accelerate progress. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we finally have the funds to do just that. New Jersey’s role in lead service line replacement serves as a model for the rest of the nation. Together we can protect children and families where they live, work, and play.”

As part of EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators program, Blackwood, Camden, Clementon, East Newark, Harrison, Keansburg, Keyport, New Brunswick, Trenton, and Ventnor are working hand-in-hand with EPA and the State of New Jersey to get the lead out. The communities are receiving water technical assistance (WaterTA) to identify lead pipes in their water systems, access infrastructure funds, and develop plans to replace lead pipes that pose risks to human health.

Through the Accelerators, EPA provides hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish. This includes support in developing lead service line replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and supporting applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. As a result, more communities will be able to access their fair share of federal funds to secure a lead-free future.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dedicates $15B to lead service line removal and replacement. In order to ensure every community can access their fair share of this unprecedented investment, EPA continues to expand its WaterTA programs and support communities in applying for federal funding.

“Any amount of lead in our nation’s drinking water infrastructure is a threat to the health and well-being of American residents and families. I applaud the inclusion of the 10 communities in New Jersey being announced today, Blackwood, Clementon, East Newark, Harrison, Keansburg, Keyport, New Brunswick, Ventnor, Camden, and Trenton, as participants in EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators program,” said Senator Bob Menendez (NJ). “As home to some of the oldest water infrastructure in the nation, I have fought tirelessly to secure the federal funding necessary to continue replacing New Jersey’s lead service lines and modernizing drinking water pipes in communities across the state.”

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has brought historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines and remove a threat to the health of our most vulnerable neighbors, particularly children,” said Senator Cory Booker (NJ). “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators initiative has delivered targeted technical assistance to increase access to safe, clean drinking water, and I’m excited to see its benefits flow to more communities in New Jersey so they can protect the health of children and families.”

“Every American has a fundamental right to safe, clean drinking water. That’s why I fought for funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines quickly and equitably. No community should be left to face the health risks stemming from lead pipes any longer,” said House Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member and NJ-06 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. “I’m thrilled that EPA is providing much needed assistance to fast-track the removal and replacement of toxic lead pipes, and I commend Administrator Regan for working diligently to target those communities most impacted. This is another significant step toward ensuring that every family can trust the water coming out of the tap. I look forward to this resource expanding to help other communities in need.”

“The Murphy Administration, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, is proud to accelerate the protection of every resident and child in New Jersey from the risk of lead exposure by identifying lead pipes and assuring they will be replaced,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping make it possible to empower our state with the tools, knowledge and resources to protect public health and ensure every community has clean and safe drinking water.”

“This collaborative effort marks a day of achievement, as we come together to take a significant step forward in ensuring the health and well-being of our community,” said New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill. “The Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator Program represents a crucial initiative that aligns with our commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water for our residents.”

“The Borough of Keansburg is excited to be a part of the EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator’s program. This program is providing my Borough the assistance necessary to identify lead service lines, provide public outreach and education to our community and to prepare a fiscally responsible replacement strategy,” said the Borough of Keansburg Mayor George Hoff. “The Accelerator Program will enable the Borough to accelerate the lead service replacement program and ultimately get the lead out!”

“Collaboration across all sectors is essential to eradicate lead. Our leaders and officials must foster relationships with grassroots organizations and research institutions to get the lead out,” said Shereyl Snider, Community Organizer with the East Trenton Collaborative. “As the Lead-Free New Jersey Hub, the East Trenton Collaborative is partnering with Rutgers (EOHSI), Ph.D. Student Sean Stratton and Dr. Brian Buckly to educate and advocate for lead remediation; without these partnerships, our children continue to be exposed to lead.”

“Lead exposure endangers the health of our families and children, especially in older urban communities like New Brunswick,” said President and CEO New Brunswick Tomorrow Jaymie Santiago. “The Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators program is a tremendous opportunity to remove this public health scourge from our water infrastructure once and for all. We are grateful to the Biden administration, Congressman Pallone, and the EPA for bringing these resources to New Brunswick, and we look forward to helping achieve a lead-free future for our city.”

“We know that accelerating the replacement of lead service lines is critical to taking back the tap for communities already overburdened by multiple pollution sources,” stated Amy Goldsmith, NJ State Director, Clean Water Action. “With the help of the NJ Congressional delegation, USEPA and federal funding, more of NJ's BIPOC and low-income communities will be able to replicate what Newark did in just three years (i.e. replaced all residential lead service lines).” Goldsmith continued, “This federal accelerator program brings us closer to achieving water justice by putting New Jersey in the fast lane when it comes to replacing more lead service lines faster where people are most vulnerable and in need.”

In January, Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to 100% lead service line removal. The initiative, in partnership with the Department of Labor, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, is addressing existing barriers and accelerating progress towards lead service line identification and replacement. Communities interested in receiving WaterTA support for infrastructure projects can apply online.

The science is clear that there is no safe level of lead exposure. EPA is working with participating states to accelerate lead service line projects by supporting the development of community engagement plan, lead service line inventories, lead service line replacement plans, and funding applications.

EPA’s 7th Drinking Water Needs and Assessment Survey projects a national total of 9.2 million lead services lines across the country. The Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan outlines President Biden’s vision of lead-free water systems, and dedicated funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will greatly advance the goal of replacing 100% of lead service lines.