Aiexpress – On February 20th, Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan embarked on a visit to Pennsylvania where they unveiled a substantial $5.8 billion investment plan aimed at bolstering clean water infrastructure.
During their visit to Pittsburgh, Harris and Regan emphasized the White House’s commitment to ensuring that every family has access to clean and safe water. This goal is being pursued through the funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“When my president and I assumed office, we made it a priority to address the issue of Americans in nearly 10 million households, as well as children in numerous schools and childcare facilities, who were being exposed to lead-contaminated water through outdated pipes,” stated Harris.
The investment in clean water comprises of over $3.2 billion allocated to expanding access to clean water through the Drinking Water State Recovery Fund, along with an additional $2.6 billion from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to enhance wastewater, sanitation, and stormwater infrastructure.
According to Harris, Pennsylvania alone has the potential to allocate over $200 million towards the replacement of outdated water mains and the improvement of storm drains.
According to Harris, many water mains in Pennsylvania are over 100 years old, which makes them more susceptible to breaking or bursting, particularly during periods of cold weather. He mentioned a recent incident in the Hill District where a water main burst, causing hundreds of people to be without water for a day.
The EPA has committed over $1 billion to tackle the increasing concerns surrounding PFAS contaminants, commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
The White House announced that over 1,300 drinking water and wastewater projects have been initiated nationwide through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These projects, which include the replacement of numerous lead service lines, aim to improve the country’s water infrastructure.
According to a study conducted by The Guardian in 2022, it was discovered that EPA tests failed to detect significant levels of PFAS pollutants. These chemicals, which are commonly used to resist water and stains, have a slow degradation rate. They can be found in various everyday products such as shampoo, cosmetics, nonstick cookware, food packaging, and clothing.
