SAFE Taps Act

The Safe and Fair Elimination of Taps with Lead Service Lines Act, or SAFE Taps Act, directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a new grant program. This program will provide funding to units of local governments, public water systems, and federally recognized Indian Tribes for critical water infrastructure improvements. The grants are specifically for the replacement of lead service lines, galvanized steel or iron service lines that were downstream of lead components, and lead drinking water mains . Eligible project costs also encompass planning, design, developing lead service line inventories, and site restoration. Congress finds that a dedicated grant program is essential because existing loan-based funding mechanisms are often insufficient and inaccessible for financially distressed communities, hindering efforts to comply with EPA mandates and address public health threats. By offering direct grants, the bill aims to ensure the equitable, efficient, and timely removal of lead from drinking water systems, thereby safeguarding public health and advancing environmental justice. All construction work funded by these grants must adhere to Davis-Bacon Act labor standards .