EPA Announces $27.5 Million Grant to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water in California

On May 20, 2026, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will be granting California $27.5 million to fund efforts to reduce lead in drinking water. The funding is part of a $2.9 billion funding effort to help states and American territories locate and replace lead pipes that can contaminate drinking with toxic lead.

Photo credit: United States EPA

Jess Kramer, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water, said, "An investment in removing lead pipes is an investment in America's children and families. The Trump EPA is committed to tackling lead exposure and this $2.9 billion will help protect current and future generations across America by accelerating local efforts to find and replace toxic lead pipes. 

The size of the grants given to each state and territory may vary widely. For example, California's grant pales in comparison to, say, the state of Illinois, which will be getting almost $296 million. However, the reason for this is that the Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to base its funding decisions on the infrastructure needs of each state. Using the best-available data from service line inventories to project the number of lead service lines ensures that EPA can provide funding to the locations that need these funds the most.  

For the DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement funding, EPA used the 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA) to estimate lead service-line specific need by incorporating nationwide lead service line inventory data. Please see this fact sheet and webpage for more information:

 

Fact Sheet -  https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-11/fact-sheet-2025-7th-dwinsa-update.pdf  

DWINSA - https://www.epa.gov/dwsrf/epas-7th-drinking-water-infrastructure-needs-survey-and-assessment

California ARB fines Volvo $197 million for air pollution violations

On May 18, 2026, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that Volvo has agreed to pay the state nearly $197 million as a settlement for alleged violations of emissions and certification requirements for some of its vehicles that were sold in California.  

Generic Heavy Duty Trucks Photo, Credit: CARB

The settlement  consists of approximately $18 million in penalties and costs, $71 million towards mitigation of the air quality harm caused by the violations, and an additional $108 million toward emission reduction projects throughout the state.

The settlement was the result of Volvo using undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices (AECD) that violated state requirements. These devices were used in approximately 10,000 Volvo diesel engines for model years 2010 through 2016. CARB alleged that the AECDs were not adequately disclosed during the required emission certification process, a major violation of California's heavy-duty engine regulations.

As a result, these engines emitted more smog forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions than allowed by law.

Also, as part of the settlement, Volvo agreed to recall, repair, and extend warranties to address the non-compliant AECDs for model year 2014 through 2016 diesel engines.

Said CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez, “This case underscores why CARB's compliance testing and strong enforcement are essential to protecting the state's air quality and public health. Our responsibility goes beyond adopting regulations — we are committed to upholding them by identifying violations and holding companies accountable for meeting emissions standards.” 

For more information: Volvo Settlement FAQs