EPA to tighten rules for lead in drinking water as Biden taps infrastructure funds for multi-year pipe swap
The Environmental Protection Agency is taking action to tighten rules regarding allowable levels of lead in drinking water, as the Biden administration seeks to replace all lead service lines nationwide using new funds from the project. bipartite law on infrastructure.
The agency on Thursday announced the first $ 2.9 billion investment under the law to replace aging lead pipes, which can leach heavy metal particles into drinking water, potentially causing serious development problems. and neurological. The administration plans to replace all lead drinking water pipes in the coming years. Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled to make the official announcement Thursday during a speech to the AFL-CIO.
“The science on lead is settled – there is no safe level of exposure and it’s time to remove that risk to support thriving people and vibrant communities,” said EPA administrator Michael Regan in a statement. New EPA requirements, which are expected to be finalized by 2024, would require the replacement of the remaining lead drinking water pipes “as quickly as possible” and may include new testing requirements for water systems. drinkable.
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Congress approved $ 15 billion to replace lead service lines in the infrastructure bill – about a third less than some estimates to replace them nationwide – but the new rule could fill the gap ‘difference.
The announcement comes in conjunction with other administration efforts to limit lead exposure, including more child surveillance tests for lead exposure by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and grants of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to remove lead paint from public housing. The Treasury Department is also announcing that excess COVID-19 relief funds can be used for major service line replacement projects.