The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced May 20 nearly $2.9 billion in funding to protect Americans from exposure to lead in drinking water, a powerful neurotoxin that is especially harmful to children.

The investment will be distributed to states through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and is part of what the agency describes as its commitment to Making America Healthy Again. Officials said the funding will support state and local efforts to locate and replace lead service lines that deliver water directly to homes.

Communities can use the money to identify lead pipes, plan removal projects and finance full replacement of service lines. EPA officials said each replacement delivers tangible public health benefits.

"An investment in removing lead pipes is an investment in America's children and families," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. "The Trump EPA is committed to tackling lead exposure and this $2.9 billion will help protect current and future generations by accelerating local efforts to find and replace toxic lead pipes."

The agency said providing clean and safe drinking water remains a top priority under its Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative. Officials added that reducing exposure to lead is a key part of ensuring safe drinking water nationwide.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund provides financial assistance run by states to help water systems meet health protection goals under the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA said the funding distribution is based on the best available information identifying about 4 million lead service lines across the country.

Agency officials said they will work with states to ensure funds are quickly directed to communities with the greatest need in order to reduce lead exposure through drinking water.

In addition to the $2.9 billion allocation, EPA is also redistributing $18 million in previously announced Drinking Water State Revolving Fund money that had not been used. The agency said the funds will now be made available to different eligible states with lead service line replacement needs, consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act requirement to reallocate unused funds.

EPA said it has recently expanded its public outreach efforts, including a redesigned lead information website at https://epa.gov/lead and a new StoryMap focused on lead and children's health. The agency said the updated site is intended to help parents and caregivers, contractors, health care professionals and others quickly find information on preventing lead exposure.

Officials said the effort is part of the broader Federal Lead Action Plan launched during President Trump's first term to coordinate federal agencies in reducing lead exposure.

EPA also said FY2026 Lead Service Line Replacement allotments are available on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund webpage.