Funding for Lead Service Lines

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) provides SRF and SWIG with supplemental funding to strengthen the nation’s water infrastructure. Funding through IIJA is available to states through federal fiscal years 2022 to 2026. Through the Lead Service Line (LSL) SRF Capitalization Grant, this funding supports removing and replacing LSLs used to distribute drinking water. This includes lead and galvanized steel components used in lines that may promote leaching lead into our water supply. There is no safe level of lead exposure, as it is a toxic metal that poses serious health risks even at low concentrations. Congress aims to eliminate lead in our water supply by providing funding through IIJA to SRFs to identify and replace LSLs across Tennessee. For more information about LSL Loans, see our DWSRF LSL IUP.

The State Water Infrastructure Grants (SWIG) program is investigating LSL issues by service area, establishing compliant inventories, and providing dollars for the planning and design of full lead service line replacements (LSLR). The lead service line (LSLI) investigation, inventory, and planning assistance program will allow the rapid identification and inventory of LSLs and ensure PWSs have a plan for LSL replacement, potentially financed through an SRF loan. For more information about LSL Grants, visit our Lead Service Line Inventory Grant page.