The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the finalization of the agency’s improvements to the nation’s Lead and Copper Rule. The changes to the rule will:

• Ensure the replacement of 100% of lead pipes across most of the country within ten years;
• Create an inventory of lead pipes around the country and improve testing; and
• Lower the lead level needed to trigger action to treat the water.

The new rule will build on Biden-Harris administration efforts to replace lead pipes around the country, including a $15 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in 2021.

Following the finalization, the BlueGreen Alliance released a statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

“Too many people in America—especially people of color—have had to worry if the water they drink at home is poisoning them and their families. While the previous administration did little to nothing to fix the widespread toxic lead pipe crisis in our country, the Biden-Harris administration has acted. President Biden and Vice President Harris have put the right policies in place and have made a real investment to ensure that lead pipes in our nation are replaced within a decade while spurring good, union jobs.

“We applaud the EPA for finalizing this important rule and look forward to the near future when everyone in America can have safe, clean drinking water.”