This is a linkpost for https://insightforimpact.substack.com/p/how-federal-budget-decisions-shape
Lead exposure has been identified as an important cause within the EA community.
Here's a quick summary of how the current federal budget decisions could affect current lead reduction efforts both in the US and globally.
- City pipe replacement
The FY 2026 budget request would shrink the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund by about 87%, limiting the low-interest loans that utilities rely on across the US to fund their efforts to replace lead pipes. - Global commitments
Roughly $25 million of the $150 million in pledges for the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future was committed by USAID. This funding is likely paused and at risk of cancellation under the current restructuring of foreign aid. - New technology
A new at-home lead test being developed by researchers at Northwestern University which would have allowed households to test their water in approximately 30 minutes without sending it away to a water laboratory is under one of the current stop work orders.
Check out the full post here: https://insightforimpact.substack.com/p/how-federal-budget-decisions-shape