The federal government recently unveiled $3 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Replacement, $29 million of which is slotted for Maryland communities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3 billion to help every state and territory identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead can cause a range of serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. Funds are available through EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). This funding builds on the federal government’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative.
The Lead Service Line-specific formula used to allot these funds allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible. The formula and allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding. Maryland has been allocated $29,917,000, or 1.04% of the total $3 billion investment.
A 2023 report from the EPA estimated that Maryland has 71,166 lead service lines or 0.77% of the national total. Estimates vary, but the replacement of all of these lines could total approximately $15 billion statewide. While the roughly $30 million in the DWSRF is a good start, greater investments are required to replace all lead pipes.
Read the Fiscal Year 2024 Lead Service Line Allotments.
Read more about Maryland’s lead pipes.
Read the EPA’s 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment.