EDF Applauds Historic U.S. EPA Rule to Eliminate Lead Pipes

Statement of Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President for Healthy Communities

Today marks a historic milestone to protect children and families from lead in drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized strong improvements to its Lead and Copper Rule, laying the foundation for eliminating all lead pipes across the nation. The vast majority of lead pipes will be replaced by 2037. 

“With today’s action, the Biden administration committed the U.S. to eliminating the legacy of lead pipes, taking a crucial step in protecting children and adults—especially those in overburdened communities—from the harmful impacts of lead” said Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President for Healthy Communities at Environmental Defense Fund.

“Combined with the commitment of $15 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these strengthened protections will ensure that communities around the country can get lead pipes out of the ground over the next decade.”

EDF supports this strong rule, which will result in public health and socioeconomic benefits, including: 

• Replacing 100% of lead pipes for the vast majority of water systems by 2037.
• Strictly limiting partial replacements, which can result in increased lead levels in water.
• Prioritizing replacements for those that are disproportionately impacted by lead.
• Lowering the lead action level, triggering more aggressive action when water sampling finds high levels of lead.
• Requiring water systems to communicate more frequently and proactively with consumers about lead pipes and the system’s plans for replacing the lines.
  
  Everyone deserves access to safe drinking water. By finalizing this rule today, EPA has taken a huge stride towards protecting public health by eliminating harmful lead pipes.