In a sweeping decision that could be expensive but beneficial to public health, the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed requiring water utilities nationwide to replace all of their lead pipes for the first time.
If finalized, the rule would compel local utilities nationwide to dig up and replace lead piping in an ambitious effort to protect children and the public from the potent neurotoxin. It would be a massive undertaking and would not be cheap. The EPA has said it could cost $45 billion.
“This is a public health concern that has unfortunately spanned generations and an issue that has disproportionately affected low-income communities,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said during a call with reporters Wednesday. “Our proposed improvements are a major advancement.”
Under the proposed rule, most water utilities across the country would have 10 years to replace lead service lines, many of which have been in the ground for a century, delivering drinking water to homes, schools and offices. Ten percent of the pipes would have be replaced each year and the regulation would restrict partial replacements — an approach some utilities have taken in which they remove only the segments of lead pipe they own, even when there are high lead levels in homeowners’ tap water.
Environmental and public health advocates praised the Biden administration for updating what many consider an outdated and toothless regulation.
“The EPA’s lead rule provides a ray of hope that we are approaching the day when every family can trust that the water from their kitchen tap is safe, regardless of how much money they have or their Zip code,” said Erik Olson with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
But getting rid of all those pipes — as the EPA has proposed — will now force local, state and federal leaders to figure out how to do it quickly, and at the least cost.
Although the infrastructure law dedicated $15 billion for lead pipe removal, the largest investment ever, there is still a shortfall. While advocates and federal officials estimate the total cost for lead removal at about $45 billion, the drinking water industry’s estimate runs as high $60 billion.
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In a sweeping decision that could be expensive but beneficial to public health, the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed requiring water utilities nationwide to replace all of their lead pipes for the first time.
If finalized, the rule would compel local utilities nationwide to dig up and replace lead piping in an ambitious effort to protect children and the public from the potent neurotoxin. It would be a massive undertaking and would not be cheap. The EPA has said it could cost $45 billion.
But the costs of lead exposure are also high. Lead can cause[ irreversible cognitive damage and other health problems](https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#:~:text=EPA%20and%20the%20Centers%20for,to%20health%2C%20especially%20for%20children), even at low levels, and particularly in small children. Despite the significant health threat, cities have struggled to get rid of the estimated [9 million lead pipes that remain](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epa-more-than-9-million-lead-pipes-drinking-water-us/). And the federal government has never required their total replacement.
“This is a public health concern that has unfortunately spanned generations and an issue that has disproportionately affected low-income communities,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said during a call with reporters Wednesday. “Our proposed improvements are a major advancement.”
Under the proposed rule, most water utilities across the country would have 10 years to replace lead service lines, many of which have been in the ground for a century, delivering drinking water to homes, schools and offices. Ten percent of the pipes would have be replaced each year and the regulation would restrict partial replacements — an approach some utilities have taken in which they remove only the segments of lead pipe they own, even when there are high lead levels in homeowners’ tap water.
The agency’s announcement builds on President Biden’s promise early in his administration to remove every lead pipe in the country by 2031. “We’re replacing every single, solitary lead pipe in America. Hear me?” [the president said](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/06/27/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-campaign-reception-chevy-chase-md/) at a campaign event in Maryland last summer.
Environmental and public health advocates praised the Biden administration for updating what many consider an outdated and toothless regulation.
“The EPA’s lead rule provides a ray of hope that we are approaching the day when every family can trust that the water from their kitchen tap is safe, regardless of how much money they have or their Zip code,” said Erik Olson with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
But getting rid of all those pipes — as the EPA has proposed — will now force local, state and federal leaders to figure out how to do it quickly, and at the least cost.
Although the infrastructure law dedicated $15 billion for lead pipe removal, the largest investment ever, there is still a shortfall. While advocates and federal officials estimate the total cost for lead removal at about $45 billion, the drinking water industry’s estimate runs as high $60 billion.
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Wait, they still use lead pipes in the States? Why not leaded gasoline too then..
“Now big government is telling me what kind of pipe to use for my water.” said 37% of our nation.