Rep. Watson Coleman Celebrates $5.5 Million Grant to Reduce Lead Exposure in Trenton

Ewing, N.J. (October 12, 2022) — Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced six projects that have been selected to receive over $30 million in grant funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. The City of Trenton is receiving a grant of $5,530,000 to help reduce lead exposure in the city’s water systems.

“This EPA WIIN grant is an important step toward environmental justice in New Jersey’s 12th District. Lead contamination disproportionately harms low-income, Black, and brown communities, resulting in poor health outcomes for those who are already struggling,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). “By removing lead and bringing Trenton’s water infrastructure into the 21st century, this investment will ensure that the residents of our state capital have clean, safe water for generations to come.”

“A pillar of our work at EPA is ensuring that every person in every community has safe drinking water,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “The science on lead is settled—there is no safe level of exposure. This grant funding will help reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and should be used to support underserved communities that are most at risk for exposure.”

This grant funding, and additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help make rapid progress on the goal of addressing lead and removing lead pipes across the country. Lead poses serious health risks to both children and adults – children are especially vulnerable. Low-income and other historically underserved communities typically experience high levels of lead in their drinking water because they are disproportionately served by lead services lines.