California has been allocated $27.5 million in federal funding to identify and replace lead service lines that supply water to homes, the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced.

The funds will be distributed through California's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which assists public water systems in upgrading infrastructure to comply with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.Although the use of lead pipes was banned nationwide in 1986, millions of homes still receive water through these hazardous lines.Exposure to lead is highly dangerous, especially for children, as even small amounts can damage brain development and cause long-term health issues.The EPA introduced a rule in 2024 mandating that all drinking water systems nationwide must remove lead pipes within 10 years.

Michael Martucci, EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator, emphasized the importance of this effort for protecting the health of children and families across the country.California's funding is part of a larger $2.9 billion initiative for lead pipe replacement across the U.S., which also includes the reallocation of $18 million in previously unused funds from other states.

The initiative prioritizes areas with significant numbers of lead service lines, aiming to reduce public exposure to this dangerous neurotoxin and improve the safety of drinking water nationwide.