Watchdog: EPA’s lead pipe fix sent about $3 billion to states based on unverified data

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency distributed about $3 billion to states last year to replace harmful lead pipes based on unverified data, according to an agency inspector general’s memo, likely meaning some states got too much money and others got too little.

Investigators found two states had submitted inaccurate data, the memo dated Wednesday said. It didn’t name the states. The EPA has since made changes, but the inspector general said the agency could do more.