Lead service lines

Lead pipes that carry drinking water into homes pose a serious health concern for many Great Lakes residents. Great Lakes states have some of the highest numbers of lead pipes in the nation. Lead poisoning from consuming contaminated water can cause irreversible brain damage in children.

Learn more below about the work to replace lead service lines bringing water into people’s homes.

Blog

August 25, 2026

New dashboard brings more transparency to Ohio’s main water infrastructure funding and financing program as historic federal injection winds down

The Ohio EPA took an important step forward recently by releasing a new State Revolving Fund (SRF) dashboard, making data on the state’s primary water infrastructure funding and financing assistance program […]

Blog

March 14, 2026

Updated Report: Advocates Creating Momentum for Water and Wastewater Investment in the Great Lakes and Beyond

The State Revolving Fund (SRF) Advocates Forum (Forum) brings together over 200 community leaders from across the country – including many in Great Lakes states – advocating for critical water […]

Blog

November 5, 2025

New Report: Working Together to Improve Water Infrastructure

The State Revolving Fund (SRF) Advocates Forum (Forum) brings together community leaders from more than 36 states advocating for critical water infrastructure funding needs to replace lead service lines, upgrade […]

Testimony

October 27, 2025

Testimony in Support of Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Lead Water Lines in Ohio

Access to clean drinking water is essential for everyone, which is why the Alliance for the Great Lakes supports a bipartisan Ohio bill designed to eliminate all lead water lines […]

DC Update

July 17, 2025

Critical Months Ahead for the Great Lakes in Congress 

On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” or “OBBBA.” Now that OBBBA is law, the focus in Congress turns to funding the […]

Press Release

May 21, 2025

Environmental Organizations Celebrate Bipartisan Bill to Remove Ohio’s Lead Service Lines to Improve Drinking Water

Columbus, OH (May 21, 2025) — Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana) introduced important legislation designed to eliminate all lead water lines that still exist in […]

Blog

May 6, 2025

Trump Budget Proposal Slashes Federal Funding, Threatens the Great Lakes and Sets Up Showdown With Congress  

The Trump Administration’s proposed FY 2026 President’s Budget slashes federal non-defense spending and proposes steep cuts to federal programs that protect and restore the Great Lakes and the communities that […]

Blog

February 26, 2025

Water Advocacy at the Ohio Statehouse: A Call for Clean Water Policies

On Thursday, January 30, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, alongside our partners—The Nature Conservancy, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, The Junction Coalition, and the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC)—came […]

Blog

October 11, 2024

Healing Our Waters Conference Recap: Community Voices Leading the Charge for Water Justice 

This year’s Healing Our Waters (HOW) Conference in Chicago brought together advocates, community leaders, and passionate individuals to address major issues facing the Great Lakes, including the pressing issue of […]

Press Release

October 8, 2024

EPA Finalizes Clean Drinking Water Rule That Will Get the Lead Out of Great Lakes Drinking Water

Chicago, IL (October 8, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule today requiring that water utilities across the country replace harmful lead pipes. The Lead […]