Sewell announces $43.9 million investment to replace lead pipes, improve drinking water in Alabama

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) recently announced that Alabama has been given $43.9 million to replace lead pipes for drinking water as part of a new EPA rule in order to improve drinking water within the decade. 

The funding comes from President Joe Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“For too long, our most vulnerable Alabamians have had their health and well-being threatened by exposure to lead-contaminated drinking water,” said Sewell. “But thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are finally putting an end to this historic injustice."

"As the only Member of Congress from Alabama to vote in favor of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I am thrilled that Alabama will be receiving this monumental investment to replace dangerous lead pipes and improve the safety of our drinking water supply. We are so grateful to have an administration that is committed to ensuring every family has clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.”

An announcement from Sewell emphasized the harms of using lead pipes and said that "49% of the funding must be provided to disadvantaged communities as grant funding or principal forgiveness that does not have to be repaid."

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$35 million in competitive grant funding for reducing lead in drinking water is also available, the announcement said. 

A new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) require "more rigorous" testing for drinking water and "a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water."

It also reportedly improves communication within communities to inform them about their water conditions. 

More information can be found at a page by the EPA here.