Pallone Announces New Jersey Towns and Cities Will Join Federal Program to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Service Lines

New Brunswick, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today to announce which New Jersey communities will participate in a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of 100 percent lead service line removal and replacement. The communities in the state selected for the program include Blackwood, Clementon, East Newark, Harrison, Keansburg, Keyport, New Brunswick, Ventnor, Camden, and Trenton.

In January, the EPA selected New Jersey as one of four test states for the agency’s new “Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators” program, which will provide technical assistance to replace lead pipes in underserved areas. EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish, including support in developing lead service line replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and supporting applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. As a result, more communities will be able to access their fair share of federal funds to secure clean, safe drinking water free of lead contamination.

“Every American has a fundamental right to safe, clean drinking water. That’s why I fought for funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines quickly and equitably. No community should be left to face the health risks stemming from lead pipes any longer,” said Pallone. “I’m thrilled that EPA is providing much needed assistance to fast-track the removal and replacement of toxic lead pipes, and I commend Administrator Regan for working diligently to target those communities most impacted. This is another significant step toward ensuring that every family can trust the water coming out of the tap. I look forward to this resource expanding to help other communities in need.”

“Addressing lead in drinking water is long overdue,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA is committed to tackling the problem at the source – by removing lead service lines. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we finally have the funds to do just that. New Jersey’s role in lead service line replacement serves as a model for the rest of the nation. Together we can protect children and families where they live, work, and play.”  

“The Murphy Administration, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, is proud to accelerate the protection of every resident and child in New Jersey from the risk of lead exposure by identifying lead pipes and assuring they will be replaced,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping make it possible to empower our state with the tools, knowledge and resources to protect public health and ensure every community has clean and safe drinking water.”

“This collaborative effort marks a day of achievement, as we come together to take a significant step forward in ensuring the health and well-being of our community,” said New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill. “The Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator Program represents a crucial initiative that aligns with our commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water for our residents.” 

“The Borough of Keansburg is excited to be a part of the EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator’s program. This program is providing my Borough the assistance necessary to identify lead service lines, provide public outreach and education to our community and to prepare a fiscally responsible replacement strategy,” said the Borough of Keansburg Mayor George Hoff. “The Accelerator Program will enable the Borough to accelerate the lead service replacement program and ultimately get the lead out!”

“Collaboration across all sectors is essential to eradicate lead. Our leaders and officials must foster relationships with grassroots organizations and research institutions to get the lead out,” said Shereyl Snider, Community Organizer with the East Trenton Collaborative. “As the Lead-Free New Jersey Hub, the East Trenton Collaborative is partnering with Rutgers (EOHSI), Ph.D. Student Sean Stratton and Dr. Brian Buckly to educate and advocate for lead remediation. Without these partnerships, our children continue to be exposed to lead.”

“Lead exposure endangers the health of our families and children, especially in older urban communities like New Brunswick,” said President and CEO New Brunswick Tomorrow Jaymie Santiago. “The Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators program is a tremendous opportunity to remove this public health scourge from our water infrastructure once and for all. We are grateful to the Biden Administration, Congressman Pallone, and the EPA for bringing these resources to New Brunswick, and we look forward to helping achieve a lead-free future for our city.”

“We know that accelerating the replacement of lead service lines is critical to taking back the tap for communities already overburdened by multiple pollution sources,” stated Amy Goldsmith, NJ State Director, Clean Water Action. “With the help of the NJ Congressional delegation, USEPA and federal funding, more of NJ's BIPOC and low-income communities will be able to replicate what Newark did in just three years (i.e. replaced all residential lead service lines). This federal accelerator program brings us closer to achieving water justice by putting New Jersey in the fast lane when it comes to replacing more lead service lines faster where people are most vulnerable and in need.”

As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress, Pallone included provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for drinking water infrastructure, including $15 billion for the replacement of lead water lines. Pallone announced that New Jersey would receive $168,949,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022 to clean up drinking water contamination and improve the state's water infrastructure. In 2023, New Jersey received an additional $142,676,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades, including lead service line replacement.