Protect Kids from Lead Coalition Applauds Bipartisan Push to Eliminate Lead from Drinking Water

Senator Ossoff’s amendment boosts funding by nearly 50% to replace lead service lines nationwide

Washington, D.C. (August 19, 2025) – The Protect Kids From Lead Coalition (PKFL) commends U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff for securing bipartisan support to increase funding for lead service line replacement, marking a crucial advancement in safeguarding public health. This measure, which calls for a nearly 50% funding increase for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Reducing Lead in Drinking Water grant program, brings the country one step closer to eradicating a preventable hazard threatening the safety of children and communities nationwide.

Protecting children from the health impacts of lead exposure has been the central mission of PKFL. Senator Ossoff’s leadership on this bipartisan initiative reflects the kind of collaborative action needed to protect public health.

“No child should have to drink from a tap that could harm their health,” said Wendi Wilkes, director of Protect Kids From Lead Coalition. “Senator Ossoff’s leadership in championing a nearly 50% funding increase for lead pipe replacement is the kind of bold, bipartisan action we need to protect families and accelerate the work to remove every lead pipe across America.”

Across the U.S., an estimated 9 million lead service lines deliver water to homes, schools and businesses. These pipes continue to put families at risk for lead exposure every day. Senator Ossoff’s amendment, passed within the U.S. Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment and Related Agencies funding bill, represents an important step toward addressing this crisis. PKFL urges Congress to swiftly pass the full legislation in both the Senate and the U.S. House so communities can move closer to eliminating lead from their drinking water systems.