EPA Announces Over $28 Million for Lead Pipe Replacement in Puerto Rico

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $28.6 million to help Puerto Rico identify and replace lead service lines to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water.

According to the EPA announcement:
The Puerto Rico Department of Health’s project will utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act. This agreement will provide funds to replace lead drinking water service lines and help identify the planning, design and replacement of service lines of customer-owned and PRASA-owned service lines. The Department of Health will also use this funding to provide technical assistance to state program managers and small water system administrators.

“This latest funding announcement is good news for everyone in Puerto Rico as there is no safe level of lead exposure,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Lead can cause a range of serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. It’s important to note that lead is rarely found in source water. It typically enters the water supply as it comes in contact with plumbing materials that contain lead, such as old service lines. It can also leach from lead pipes in buildings, as well as from solder or from brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures.”

Lead service lines can indeed still be found far too often in Puerto Rico and throughout the region. Nationwide, EPA projects a total of 9 million lead services lines, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment.

To help protect against exposure to lead and other hazardous materials, the professionals at Zimmetry Environmental offer material, industrial hygiene and environmental testing, monitoring, consulting and training services. These resources help to protect the public and to keep businesses, utilities and institutions in regulatory compliance.

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their lead or other environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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