New Mexico is on the way to receiving more than $28.6 million in federal funding for a comprehensive water system replacement project. In an announcement, Democrat Senator Martin Heinrich noted the importance of building systems that will provide a "reliable supply of safe drinking water," before adding: "This funding will keep working families in our state safe and healthy, while creating a solid foundation for our communities to grow." The funding is coming through the Environmental Protection Agency and is designed to focus on the replacement of service lines composed of lead pipes. The dollar value of the funding being sent to New Mexico is equal to that heading to Arizona. Colorado, however, is getting a slightly higher amount at $32.8 million. Support in the last three years for drinking water infrastructure projects has come from two EPA sources: the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Altogether, the EPA has announced the awarding of up to $3 billion in funding to upgrade state drinking water infrastructure across the country. In a statement, EPA Administrator Michael Regan remarked of the funding: "The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harm in drinking water is through lead pipes." The effort has been particularly emphasized by the Biden Administration, continued Regan, noting that the latest round of funding for all of the states and territories will "accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all." Ultimately, the EPA wants to replace some 1.7 million existing lead pipes nationally. It is thought that up to 9 million residences, schools, and places of business are continuing to get water via a lead pipe. By Garry Boulard Image Credit: Courtesy of Pixabay
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