Massachusetts lawmakers blasted the Trump administration on Monday for delaying the distribution of billions of dollars in funds to address lead in drinking water, warning that the highly unusual delay could leave people exposed to contaminated water.
In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Massachusetts’ congressional delegation urged the agency to swiftly allot federal dollars for lead pipe replacements to states through state revolving loan fund programs. The monthslong delay has already forced some cities to put off plans to remove and replace lead pipes, the letter said.
“The EPA needs to release this funding now,” wrote the lawmakers, all of whom are Democrats.
Lead is a heavy metal that is toxic to humans and especially dangerous to children and babies. The U.S. has millions of lead pipes, but replacing them is expensive and time-consuming for local governments.
