Connecticut Receives $37 Million To Remove Lead, PFAS From Drinking Water

Connecticut municipalities have received a boost in battling two health concerns — lead and PFAS in drinking water — as a result of a $37 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“These funding announcements will help communities address two of the most important environmental and human health challenges we face today–lead and PFAS,” said EPA New England Administrator, Mark Sanborn. “With this funding allocated by Congress, EPA is working together with our state and local partners to help accelerate practical and cost-effective solutions that affect human health and improve water quality for today’s families and future generations.”

The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant is the first of two grants Connecuticut received to combat water contamination. The grant allocated the state $9.5 million to address the accumulation of PFAS in drinking water in lower income and urban areas with the least access to clean drinking water.

“Every family in New England deserves safe, clean drinking water, and tackling lead exposure remains one of the most important public health challenges we face,” said  Sanborn. He added the funding would help communities upgrade their drinking water infrastructure, address challenges with innovative and practical solutions, and protect the health of people all across New England.

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are man-made chemicals commonly found in cleaning materials, cosmetics, cooking products, and other household items. They are known for their indestructibility and accumulation over time.

Connecticut is not the only state receiving funding. The EPA has allocated funding all over the nation to address emerging concerns about water quality. The PFAS OUT initiative is a part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative that has been allotted $1 billion in funding to expand and adopt new technology targeting PFAS, according to the EPA.

The EPA also awarded Connecticut $27.5 million to combat lead contamination in drinking water. 

This grant comes from a $2.9 billion federal fund which according to Jess Kramer, the EPA assistant administrator for water, is being distributed to states for the purpose of “protect[ing] current and future generations across America by accelerating local efforts to find and replace toxic lead pipes.”

While lead-contaminated drinking water poses a threat to all residents’ health, pregnant women and young children are often the most susceptible to developing health defects, reports say.

“Reducing exposure to both lead and PFAS in drinking water is critical to protecting children’s health, safeguarding clean drinking water, and giving families confidence that the water coming from their taps is safe to drink,” said Sanborn. 

A 2025 report from the CT Mirror estimated that up to 8,000 lead service lines are still in use in the state. The EPA’s grant will go toward removing and replacing these lead pipes that transport drinking water to homes across the state.

“New England has some of the oldest drinking water infrastructure in the country,” said Sanborn, “and these investments will help communities identify and replace lead service lines and update infrastructure to address emerging contaminants like PFAS, resulting in reduced exposure and better health outcomes.”