EPA Proposal to Strengthen Lead and Copper Rule to Protect Drinking Water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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 additional 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 to help communities and water systems Get the Lead Out — including investing $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.
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.
Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, EPA will accept comments for 60 days. The agency will also hold a virtual public hearing Jan. 16, at which time the public will be invited to provide EPA with verbal comments. For more information, visit epa.gov.
