---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300j–19b"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300j–19b"
heading: "Reducing lead in drinking water"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300j-19b"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XII — Safety of Public Water Systems"
  - "Part E — General Provisions"
---

# §300j–19b. Reducing lead in drinking water

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Eligible entity—** The term “eligible entity” means—
    - (A) a community water system;
    - (B) a water system located in an area governed by an Indian Tribe;
    - (C) a nontransient noncommunity water system;
    - (D) a qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization with experience in lead reduction, as determined by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1); and
    - (E) a municipality or [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), interstate, or intermunicipal [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Lead reduction project—**
    - (A) **In general—** The term “lead reduction [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2)” means a [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) or activity the primary purpose of which is to reduce the concentration of lead in water for human consumption by—
      - (i) [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) of lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) lines;
      - (ii) testing, planning, or other relevant activities, as determined by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1), to identify and address conditions (including corrosion control) that contribute to increased concentration of lead in water for human consumption; and
      - (iii) providing assistance to eligible entities to replace lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) lines, with priority for disadvantaged communities based on the affordability criteria established by the applicable [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) under [section 300j–12(d)(3) of this title](/usc/42/300j–12.md?p=d-3), low-income homeowners, and landlords or property [owners](/usc/42/13641.md?p=4) providing housing to low-income renters.
    - (B) **Limitation—** The term “lead reduction [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2)” does not include a partial lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) if, at the conclusion of the [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5), drinking water is delivered to a household through a publicly or privately owned portion of a lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line.
  - (3) **Low-income—** The term “low-income”, with respect to assistance under this section, has such meaning as may be given the term by the Governor of the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) in which the eligible entity is located, based upon the affordability criteria established by the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) under [section 300j–12(d)(3) of this title](/usc/42/300j–12.md?p=d-3).
  - (4) **Lead service line—** The term “lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line” means a pipe and its fittings, which are not [lead free](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=2) (as defined in [section 300g–6(d) of this title](/usc/42/300g–6.md?p=d)), that connect the drinking water main to the building inlet.
  - (5) **Nontransient noncommunity water system—** The term “nontransient noncommunity water system” means a public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least 25 of the same persons over 6 months per year.
- (b) **Grant program—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall establish a grant [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to provide assistance to eligible entities for lead reduction [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) in the United States.
  - (2) **Precondition—** As a condition of receipt of assistance under this section, an eligible entity shall take steps to identify—
    - (A) the source of lead in the public water system that is subject to human consumption; and
    - (B) the means by which the proposed lead reduction [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) would meaningfully reduce the concentration of lead in water provided for human consumption by the applicable public water system.
  - (3) **Priority application—** In providing grants under this subsection, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall give priority to an eligible entity that—
    - (A) the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) determines, based on affordability criteria established by the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) under [section 300j–12(d)(3) of this title](/usc/42/300j–12.md?p=d-3), to be a disadvantaged community; and
    - (B) proposes to—
      - (i) carry out a lead reduction [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) at a public water system or nontransient noncommunity water system that has exceeded the lead action level established by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) under [section 300g–1 of this title](/usc/42/300g–1.md) at any time during the 3-year period preceding the date of submission of the application of the eligible entity; or
      - (ii) address lead levels in water for human consumption at a [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6), daycare, or other facility that primarily serves children or other vulnerable human subpopulation described in [section 300j–18(a)(1) of this title](/usc/42/300j–18.md?p=a-1).
  - (4) **Cost sharing—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to [subparagraph (B)](#b-4-B), the non-Federal share of the total cost of a [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) funded by a grant under this subsection shall be not less than 20 percent.
    - (B) **Waiver—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) may reduce or eliminate the non-Federal share under [subparagraph (A)](#b-4-A) for reasons of affordability, as the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) determines to be appropriate.
  - (5) **Low-income assistance—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to [subparagraph (B)](#b-5-B), an eligible entity may use a grant provided under this subsection to replace lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) lines, with first priority given to assisting disadvantaged communities based on the affordability criteria established by the applicable [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) under [section 300j–12(d)(3) of this title](/usc/42/300j–12.md?p=d-3), low-income homeowners, and landlords or property [owners](/usc/42/13641.md?p=4) providing housing to low-income renters.
    - (B) **Limitation—** The amount of a grant provided to a low-income homeowner under this paragraph shall not exceed the standard cost of [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) of the privately owned portion of the lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) lines.
  - (6) **Special consideration for lead service line replacement—** In carrying out lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) using a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity—
    - (A) shall notify [customers](/usc/42/7275.md?p=5) of the [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) of the lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line;
    - (B) may, in the case of a homeowner who is not low-income, offer to replace the privately owned portion of the lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line at the cost of [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) for that homeowner’s property;
    - (C) shall, in the case of a low-income homeowner, and may, for other homeowners, offer to replace the privately owned portion of the lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line at no cost to the homeowner;
    - (D) shall notify each [customer](/usc/42/7275.md?p=5) that a planned [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) of any publicly owned portion of a lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line that is funded by a grant made under this subsection will not be carried out unless the [customer](/usc/42/7275.md?p=5) agrees to the simultaneous [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) of the privately owned portion of the lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line;
    - (E) shall demonstrate that the eligible entity has considered feasible alternatives for reducing the concentration of lead in drinking water, such as corrosion control; and
    - (F) shall notify the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) of any planned [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) of lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) lines under this [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and coordinate, where practicable, with other relevant infrastructure [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2).
- (c) **Limitation on use of funds—** Not more than 4 percent of funds made available for grants under this section may be used to pay the administrative costs of the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1).
- (d) **Lead inventorying utilization grant pilot program—**
  - (1) **Definitions—** In this subsection:
    - (A) **Eligible entity—** The term “eligible entity” means a municipality that is served by a community water system or a nontransient noncommunity water system in which not less than 30 percent of the [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) lines are known, or suspected, to contain lead, based on available data, information, or resources, including existing lead inventorying.
    - (B) **Pilot program—** The term “pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4)” means the pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) established under [paragraph (2)](#d-2).
  - (2) **Establishment—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall establish a pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under which the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall provide grants to eligible entities to carry out lead reduction [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) that are demonstrated to exist or are suspected to exist, based on available data, information, or resources, including existing lead inventorying of those eligible entities.
  - (3) **Selection—**
    - (A) **Application—** To be eligible to receive a grant under the pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), an eligible entity shall submit to the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) may require.
    - (B) **Prioritization—** In selecting recipients under the pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall give priority to—
      - (i) an eligible entity that meets the affordability criteria of the applicable [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) established under [section 300j–12(d)(3) of this title](/usc/42/300j–12.md?p=d-3); and
      - (ii) an eligible entity that is located in an area other than a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) that has established affordability criteria under [section 300j–12(d)(3) of this title](/usc/42/300j–12.md?p=d-3).
  - (4) **Report—** Not later 2 years after the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) first awards a grant under the pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report describing—
    - (A) the recipients of grants under the pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4);
    - (B) the existing lead inventorying that was available to recipients of grants under the pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4); and
    - (C) how useful and accurate the lead inventorying described in [subparagraph (B)](#d-4-B) was in locating lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) lines of the eligible entity.
  - (5) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) $10,000,000, to remain available until expended.
- (e) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section (except for [subsection (d)](#d)) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
- (f) **Savings clause—** Nothing in this section affects whether a public water system is responsible for the [replacement](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=5) of a lead [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) line that is—
  - (1) subject to the control of the public water system; and
  - (2) located on private property.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIV, § 1459B, as added Pub. L. 114–322, title II, § 2105, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1720; amended Pub. L. 117–58, div. E, title I, § 50105, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1140.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(1)(A), added subpar. (D) and struck out former subpar. (D) which read as follows: “a qualified nonprofit organization, as determined by the Administrator, servicing a public water system; and”.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(1)(B)(i), struck out “publicly owned” before “lead”.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(1)(B)(ii), added cl. (iii) and struck out former cl. (iii) which read as follows: “providing assistance to low-income homeowners to replace lead service lines.”

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(1)(C), struck out “an individual provided” before “assistance”.

Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(2)(A)(i), substituted “to replace lead service lines, with first priority given to assisting disadvantaged communities based on the affordability criteria established by the applicable State under section 300j–12(d)(3) of this title, low-income homeowners, and landlords or property owners providing housing to low-income renters.” for “to provide assistance to low-income homeowners to replace the lead service lines of such homeowners.”

Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(2)(A)(ii), substituted “lines” for “line”.

Subsec. (b)(6)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(2)(B)(i), struck out “any publicly owned portion of” before “the lead”.

Subsec. (b)(6)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(2)(B)(ii), substituted “shall, in the case of a low-income homeowner, and may, for other homeowners, offer to replace the privately owned portion of the lead service line at no cost to the homeowner;” for “may, in the case of a low-income homeowner, offer to replace the privately owned portion of the lead service line at a cost that is equal to the difference between—

“(i) the cost of replacement; and

“(ii) the amount of assistance available to the low-income homeowner under paragraph (5);”.

Subsec. (b)(6)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(2)(B)(iv), substituted “feasible alternatives for reducing the concentration of lead in drinking water, such as corrosion control; and” for “other options for reducing the concentration of lead in its drinking water, including an evaluation of options for corrosion control.”

Subsec. (b)(6)(F). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(2)(B)(iii), (v), added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(4), (5), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).

Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(3), substituted “this section (except for subsection (d)) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” for “this section $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021”.

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50105(4), redesignated subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively.