Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition
Demand Equity in Lead Service Line Replacement

We need your help to fix the inequities in state funding for lead service line replacements.

Background: Through the historic, bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law in November of 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is distributing $15 billion to states to fund lead service line replacement. 

The EPA has issued guidance to states as to how these funds should be disbursed to prioritize underserved communities, though every state has a different definition of what constitutes a “disadvantaged” or underserved” community. Impacted communities across the country and public health and environmental organizations are advocating for guiding principles that prioritize equity in this funding and lead line replacement process.

In Ohio, the current definition is as follows: to be eligible for disadvantaged community reduced interest loans and principal forgiveness, entities must meet all the following criteria:  

1. Documented human health-related factors

2. Community public water system with service area less than 10,000 persons

3. Average water and sewer rates combined comprise more than 2.4% of MHI Where a community only has either water or wastewater rates, the rates must exceed the rate/MHI benchmark for water or wastewater, respectively.

4. Most recent American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year MHI estimate is less than statewide average value, OR, ACS 5-year poverty rate estimate is greater than statewide average value.

We believe the definition should be changed in order to more equitably address the impacts of lead in urban and rural water systems in Ohio:

Disadvantaged communities: A collective term for referencing communities that have historically experienced inequities where they learn, live, and work that were/are not optimal due to disenfranchisement, disinvestment, marginalization, racism and other systems of oppression.

We believe the program's approach should include developing a comprehensive community lead service line replacement plan, with robust community input. Policy makers need to hear from you.

 

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Can you help us with questions on your experience with lead in your water? (All data is for research purposes and will be anonymized.)