The SAFE Taps Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a federal grant program to help local governments, water systems, and Native American tribes replace lead service lines, galvanized steel and iron pipes, and aging drinking water mains. The bill addresses a major public health threat, as the EPA estimates approximately 9.2 million lead service lines currently deliver drinking water to homes, schools, and childcare facilities across the country, and federal regulations now require their replacement within 10 years. The legislation recognizes that existing loan-based funding programs are insufficient, particularly for financially struggling communities that lack the resources to take on additional debt. Eligible expenses include replacing contaminated pipes, planning replacement projects, and developing inventories of lead service lines. All workers on these projects must be paid prevailing wages as determined by the Department of Labor, ensuring projects support local employment standards.
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