Congress poised to cut $125 million from lead pipe replacement program despite state pleas for more funding

The Senate is preparing to vote on a spending package that would slash $125 million from a federal program designed to replace toxic lead pipes across America, even as states argue they need more money, not less, to tackle this public health crisis.

The proposed cuts would redirect funds originally allocated through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which promised $15 billion over five years to replace lead service lines that deliver water to homes and businesses. Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause serious cognitive, developmental, and cardiovascular problems, particularly in children. The EPA has mandated that all states replace these hazardous pipes within roughly a decade.

While the cuts represent an improvement from an earlier proposal that would have slashed $250 million, environmental advocates and lawmakers are pushing back hard. “Every American deserves clean water, and we will not stop fighting until we get the lead out,” said Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan. The $125 million reduction may seem modest compared to the overall $15 billion program, but advocates warn it could prevent thousands of families from getting safe drinking water.

The timing is particularly concerning given the scope of the challenge ahead. The EPA estimates there are about 4 million lead service lines nationwide, though some experts believe the number could be higher. Replacing all of these pipes could cost between $45 billion and $90 billion. States like Illinois, which has the most lead pipes in the nation, have already called for increased federal support to meet the EPA’s replacement deadline.