The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced the availability of approximately $40 million to assist disadvantaged communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water. This funding is intended to help protect the health of children in disadvantaged communities and make progress on implementing the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures.
“This new funding—authorized under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act—will be directed to schools and disadvantaged communities and will help support public health and economic potential in Opportunity Zones,” says Andrew Wheeler, U.S. USEPA Administrator.
USEPA is announcing the availability of over $17 million for projects that implement or improve corrosion control or conduct lead service line replacements in disadvantaged communities and $22.8 million for projects that remove sources of lead in drinking water such as fixtures, fountains, outlets and plumbing materials in schools or child care facilities. The USEPA is prioritizing projects for drinking water systems that service disadvantaged communities, including those that are part of qualified Opportunity Zones, and have exceeded the lead action level during the last three years. Qualified Opportunity Zones include designated low-income or distressed communities where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment.
This WIIN grant will be competed through a Request for Application process. The funding opportunity will remain open through April 20, 2020 at www.grants.gov. Use the search term “Reduction in Lead Exposure Via Drinking Water and CFDA 66.443” to locate the application.