State to receive $32.8M to ensure safe drinking water
State to receive $32.8M to ensure safe drinking water The Longmont Leader
sdgtalks
NEWS RELEASE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $32,800,000 in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to support Colorado in identifying and replacing lead service lines, thereby preventing exposure to lead in drinking water.
Lead can have severe health impacts, particularly on brain development in children. In order to protect children and families, President Biden has committed to replacing all lead pipes in the country. This funding, made available through EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a significant step towards achieving this goal and promoting environmental justice. The funding aligns with the Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative.
“EPA is dedicated to protecting the health of all Coloradans by ensuring the water flowing into their taps is safe and reliable,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “Everyone deserves clean drinking water, and this lead service line replacement funding underscores our commitment to making that happen, especially in disadvantaged communities.”
EPA and the State Revolving Funds are working together to advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments reach marginalized communities that have been historically underinvested in and disproportionately affected by pollution. Communities of color and low-income families are disproportionately impacted by lead exposure. The funding announced today is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, providing clean drinking water to numerous families.
“No parent in America should have to worry about the water their kids drink,” said Senator Michael Bennet. “This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is an important step forward to help communities across Colorado replace harmful lead pipes without placing additional financial burdens on homeowners and small businesses. Communities in every corner of the country should have access to clean drinking water.”
“Every Coloradan deserves access to safe drinking water,” said Senator John Hickenlooper. “These Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments will help replace lead pipes and deliver cleaner water to communities across Colorado!”
“Neighborhoods throughout Denver have been impacted by lead pipes and unsafe drinking water,” said Congresswoman Diana DeGette. “I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to send funding to communities like those in Colorado’s First District to replace lead pipes and improve the health of my constituents. Today’s announcement is a victory for public health, and I am glad to have champions in the White House like President Biden and Vice President Harris who are fighting to support disadvantaged communities in Denver and across our country.”
“This historic step marks the start of the end of toxic lead pipes that harm the health of our children and families,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Joe Neguse. “I applaud the work and commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure Coloradans and the American people have access to safe, clean drinking water.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $15 billion investment to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Funding be allocated as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities. This is a crucial investment for communities that have been historically underinvested in.
EPA estimates that there are 9 million lead service lines across the country, based on data from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding announced today will support lead service line identification and replacement projects in every state and territory, reducing exposure to lead in drinking water.
The funding allotments are based on EPA’s Lead Service Line-specific formula, which ensures that states receive financial assistance based on their specific needs. States with a higher number of projected lead service lines receive a proportionally higher amount of funding.
In addition to the funding announcement, EPA has released a memorandum that provides guidance to states on how to effectively use this and other funding to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. EPA has also developed outreach documents to help water systems educate their customers on drinking water issues, the health impacts of lead exposure, service line ownership, and how customers can identify potential lead service lines in their homes.
For more information on the state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding and EPA’s lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, please visit EPA’s Drinking Water website.
Today’s funding announcement represents a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. By replacing lead service lines and ensuring access to clean drinking water, this initiative promotes the health and well-being of communities, especially those that have been historically marginalized and disproportionately affected by pollution.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of lead service lines identified and replaced
- Percentage of overall benefits from federal investments flowing to disadvantaged communities
- Number of lead pipes replaced in Colorado
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. | – |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – |
| Indicator: Percentage of overall benefits from federal investments flowing to disadvantaged communities | – | |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | – |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: longmontleader.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
