The EPA Proposed New Rule That Would Ditch Lead Water Pipes Completely

Experts decided that no amount of lead exposure is safe and it puts people at risk of disease and sickness.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule that would require water systems across the Nation to replace millions of lead service lines.

Under the proposal, all lead pipes must be replaced within 10 years, regardless of the lead levels in tap or other drinking water samples. The rule would further strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Lead and Copper rule by improving how water systems are tested for lead levels and lowering lead action levels.

Water systems would have to show consistent progress toward replacing lead pipes, with a minimum of 10% of lead pipes replaced each year and minimal exceptions. Experts decided that no amount of lead exposure is safe and it puts people at risk of disease and sickness.

The EPA will now be collecting public comments on the proposed rule for 60 days and will host a public hearing mid-January.