They are trying to eliminate the toxic threat.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a new regulation requiring the removal of all lead pipes from drinking water systems across the nation. EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted the health risks associated with lead exposure, especially for children, stating that millions of lead service lines are still in use, which can lead to serious long-term health effects. The new rule is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring that no community, regardless of its socioeconomic status, has to deal with lead-contaminated water.
Public health advocates have generally welcomed this initiative as a crucial step toward addressing the public health crisis stemming from lead exposure in drinking water. Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), emphasized that every individual deserves access to safe drinking water. The new rule aims to correct past failures in protecting public health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
However, some advocacy groups argue that the new regulation does not adequately address lead contamination in school drinking water. John Rumpler, the clean water director for the Environment America Research & Policy Center, pointed out that while the regulation sets a significant precedent for removing lead pipes, it misses the opportunity to ensure safe drinking water in schools where children learn and play. Although schools may not have lead service lines, many have plumbing systems that can still leach lead into their water supply.
The EPA’s new rule is an ambitious undertaking that is expected to cost up to $30 billion over the next decade, affecting around 9 million lead pipes in various communities throughout the U.S. While utility companies will largely be responsible for funding the replacement of these pipes, the agency noted that $15 billion is available from the 2021 infrastructure law to assist with costs.
The urgency of addressing lead contamination is critical, as lead exposure can have detrimental effects on both children and adults. In children, lead can impair cognitive development, while in adults, it is associated with numerous health issues such as high blood pressure and kidney disease. The issue of lead in drinking water gained significant attention during the Flint water crisis in 2014, highlighting the need for comprehensive measures to ensure clean and safe drinking water for all. Although the new rule imposes the financial burden primarily on utilities, it does not require them to replace lead pipes located on private property, which may complicate the overall effort to eliminate lead from water systems.
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