Workers at a construction site replacing outdated lead service lines to ensure safe drinking water in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has approved a $26.3 million loan to Providence Water to expedite the replacement of lead service lines. Aimed at public health, this funding will help eliminate lead exposure from drinking water for residents in the area. With a combination of grant and loan funding, the initiative is part of a broader national effort under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and is set to improve the quality of water for approximately 600,000 residents in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has approved a $26.3 million loan to support Providence Water in its ongoing initiative to replace lead service lines. This funding, provided through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, is aimed at accelerating the Accelerated Lead Service Line Replacement Program, a critical public health effort in the state.
Of the total loan amount, $12.8 million is categorized as grant funding, meaning only $13.5 million will need to be repaid. This financial backing will enable Providence Water to continue its efforts in removing lead service lines, which have been a significant concern for the health and safety of residents in the area.
Since the start of the program in 2021, Providence Water has successfully replaced approximately 3,000 lead service lines by utilizing a combination of federal, loan, and state resources. This recent loan marks the second consecutive year that the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has committed substantial funds to assist the utility’s ambitious objectives.
Providence Water supplies drinking water to around 600,000 residents across various communities, including Providence, North Providence, Cranston, Johnston, and Smithfield. The inclusion of the private-side lead service line replacements in this funding initiative demonstrates an expansion of efforts to eliminate lead exposure to the community, particularly as the utility strives to alleviate concerns for its 75,000 retail customers.
The funding stems from broader national efforts under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which aims to improve public health and safety across the country. By providing financial resources to replace lead service lines at no cost to customers, Providence Water is aligning its operational goals with the federal mission to ensure safer drinking water for all.
The chairman of the Providence Water Supply Board has praised the progress made thus far in replacing outdated lead service lines. The general manager of the utility added that the funding would help further eliminate lead service lines and promote the utility’s mission of achieving a lead-free environment.
Dr. Jerry Larkin, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, recognized the significance of removing lead from the state’s water pipelines, noting that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead pose a serious health risk, especially for children, as it adversely affects learning and brain development. The statewide goal is to eliminate lead service lines by 2033 under the Rhode Island Lead Poisoning Prevention Act.
Residents looking to assess their own service line materials can utilize a newly launched online mapping tool by the Rhode Island Department of Health. This resource helps identify lead and galvanized lines, alongside non-lead lines and those of unclear materials, allowing homeowners to take informed actions regarding their water quality.
From fiscal years 2023 to 2027, a projected $302 million will be dedicated to lead line replacements, according to health department estimates. Historically, the prevalence of lead pipes in Rhode Island is linked to older infrastructures, with many houses built before laws banned the use of lead in paint in 1978. The last major usage of lead piping in residential construction continued until 1986.
Amid recent initiatives both in Rhode Island and nationwide emphasizing the urgency of lead pipe removal, Providence Water continues to focus on economically disadvantaged communities, ensuring equitable access to safe drinking water. The utility is also enhancing its water treatment processes to reduce corrosion and limit lead leaching from existing pipes.
The ongoing commitment to replacing lead service lines illustrates the proactive steps being taken in Rhode Island to safeguard public health while improving the overall quality of drinking water for current and future generations.
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