The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced nearly $2.9 billion in new funding on May 20, 2026, to help states find and remove lead drinking water pipes.
Lead is a harmful metal that can damage the brain, and it is especially dangerous for young children. The new money will flow directly to states through a program called the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Local communities can use these grants to map out where old lead pipes are located, plan removal projects, and pay for the actual replacement of the lines that bring water into homes.
“An investment in removing lead pipes is an investment in America’s children and families,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. “The Trump EPA is committed to tackling lead exposure and this $2.9 billion will help protect current and future generations by accelerating local efforts to find and replace toxic lead pipes.”
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The EPA is handing out the money based on data showing where about 4 million lead service lines are currently located across the United States. The funding is tied to two broader government plans: the “Making America Healthy Again” effort and the “Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative.”
Along with the main $2.9 billion package, the EPA is also shifting $18 million in older, unused water funds to states that still have a high need for pipe replacements.
To help families and workers understand the risks of lead, the agency also updated its website at epa.gov/lead. The site now features a tool called a StoryMap to explain how lead affects children’s health. These projects are all part of the Federal Lead Action Plan, a multi-agency strategy originally started during President Trump’s first term to lower lead exposure nationwide.
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