2023 Accomplishments – Office of Water
Water plays an essential role in all our lives. From the moment we wake up until we go to bed, we count on water. Safe drinking water ensures our health through food prep, bathing, and cleaning. Clean bodies of water sustain ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and drive economic growth. All are essential to our nation’s overall health. This year we accomplished a lot to protect this vital element.
90 Seconds with Assistant Administrator Radhika Fox
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Water TA. Advancing Water Equity and Access for All. EPA committed to address pressing water challenges in 1,500 disadvantaged communities across the country and will invest $500 million for technical assistance to help communities invest in water infrastructure to close America’s water equity gap. Learn more.
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GLO Initiative Launch. We launched the Get the Lead Out (GLO) Initiative to accelerate the removal of lead pipes in 200 underserved communities. GLO will help connect these communities to historic funding moving our country closer to President Biden’s goal of getting 100% of lead pipes out of water systems once and for all. Learn more.
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Bristol Bay. We helped protect Alaska’s Bristol Bay – the most productive wild salmon ecosystem in the world – by issuing a Final Determination under the Clean Water Act. Alaska’s salmon contribute hundreds of millions to the economy and thousands of local jobs. Learn more.
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Proposed PFAS Standards. We proposed the first national drinking water standard for ‘forever chemicals’ that are dangerous to human health. The proposal, when finalized, sets legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water, which will prevent thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of illnesses. Learn more.
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Support for Rebuilding Jackson, Mississippi Water System. We provided the City of Jackson, Mississippi $115 million to stabilize and rebuild the city’s water system. This will help provide reliable water service to people’s homes, schools, and businesses. Learn more.
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UN 2023 Water Conference. Assistant Administrator Radhika Fox joined senior leaders from across the Biden administration as a U.S. delegation to the United Nations Water Conference, where she highlighted EPA’s role in accelerating progress toward United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 - ensuring access to water and sanitation for all. Learn more.
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The WIFIA program. We closed 25 loans worth $2.8 billion in 10 different states. The program has accelerated the replacement of lead service lines in major cities like Philadelphia and Chicago. We also awarded the first WIFIA loan to a Tribal government - the Gun Lake Tribe in Michigan. Learn more.
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Projects
In the last year, EPA has provided over $13 billion to states, territories, Tribes, and local communities, supporting 2,600 water infrastructure projects nationwide.
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Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)
The LCRI proposes to reduce American’s exposure to lead through drinking water, effectively ending a generational health issue. When finalized this rule will require the vast majority of water systems to replace 100% of their lead pipes within 10 years.
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Final 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule
This rule restores state and Tribal authority over infrastructure projects and protect the Waters of the U.S. This rule supports clear, efficient, and focused state water quality reviews of infrastructure and development projects that are key to economic growth.