An internal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency watchdog warns that nearly $1 billion in federal funding may be misdirected to states like Texas and Florida based on inaccurate data on lead pipes, delaying critical repairs in higher-need areas.
Michael Phillis reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Texas and Florida provided flawed lead pipe data, leading to an over-allocation of federal funds.
- The EPA's Office of Inspector General suggests the agency recover some funds and verify state data more carefully in the future.
- Some states with significant lead pipe issues may receive less money or face delays as a result of these errors.
Key quote:
“Florida seriously screwed up and Texas was obstinate.”
— Tom Neltner, national director of Unleaded Kids
Why this matters:
Misdirected funds slow the replacement of dangerous lead pipes, which disproportionately impacts states with higher exposure risks. Without accurate data, residents in more affected regions may wait longer for essential infrastructure upgrades.
