Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and child care centers lack safe drinking water
Ohio is estimated to have at least 650,000 lead lines, the second highest number in the country.
Lead pipes are found in both rural and urban areas. Even low levels of exposure in children are linked to damage to the brain and nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and harm to blood cells. In adults, lead exposure can result in cardiovascular disease and adverse impacts on reproduction and the kidneys. Eliminating lead service lines and pipes is a priority!
Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Ohio can expect to receive $1.4 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that all communities have clean, safe drinking water.
Counties receiving funding include Allen/Van Wert, Athens, Hamilton, Harrison, Hocking, Jackson, Mahoning, Portage, Ross, Seneca, and Trumbull. In addition, grants of $50,000 have been awarded to 48 projects in 31 counties to begin mapping their lead service lines and pipes.
Safe Drinking Water is a Priority for Rural Ohio
All across rural America, small community water systems are failing to protect public health due to a perfect storm of forces. Poor regulation of agricultural waste and other pollutants, shrinking populations, and aging infrastructure all contribute to the increasing incidents of water quality violations dotting the rural landscape.
There are nearly 60 thousand community water systems in the United States and 93 percent of them serve populations of fewer than 10,000 people—67 percent serve populations of fewer than 500 people.
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