WASHINGTON (Nov. 30, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to strengthen its Lead and Copper Rule that would require water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within 10 years. EPA is also proposing improvements to protect public health, such as lowering the lead action level and improving sampling protocols utilized by water systems.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is using every tool available, the EPA says, “to help communities and water systems Get the Lead Out—including investing a historic $15 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines, providing technical assistance to communities and supporting the development of a national inventory of lead service lines. ”
“Lead in drinking water is a generational public health issue, and EPA’s proposal will accelerate progress towards President Biden’s goal of replacing every lead pipe across America once and for all,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With collaboration and the focused actions proposed today, EPA is delivering on our charge to protect all Americans, especially communities of color, that are disproportionately harmed by lead in drinking water systems.”
Related lead pipe replacement news:
To protect kids, EPA wants total removal of lead pipes for the first time (W-Post)
Cities must replace harmful lead pipes within 10 years (Portland Press)
Newark is racing to Replace Lead Pipes in Under 3 Years (New York Times)
EPA rule changes would accelerate lead pipe replacement (WBAL TV)
“EPA’s proposed Lead and Copper rule is grounded in the best available science and successful practices utilized by drinking water systems to protect children and adults from lead in drinking water,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Cities like Newark, New Jersey, Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, have all successfully gotten the lead out of their water systems. Our proposed rule applies the lessons learned to scale these successes to every corner of the country.”
“Here in Newark, New Jersey, our community persevered through a lead crisis and I’m proud of the work we did removing all 23,000 lead pipes in the city in under three years,” said Kareem Adeem, Director of the Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities. “EPA’s new proposed rule will prompt more communities across the country to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. This action is commendable and represents a positive step forward toward safeguarding the health and well-being of current and future generations.”
The proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements are a major advancement in protecting children and adults from these significant, and irreversible, health effects from lead in drinking water. Key provisions in the proposal include:
- Achieving 100% Lead Pipe Replacement within 10 years.
- Locating legacy lead pipes.
- Improving tap sampling.
- Lowering the Lead Action Level.
- Strengthening protections to reduce exposure.
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