Biden-Harris Administration: Lead Pipes Must Be Replaced Within 10 Years

Last Monday the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), a major advancement in protecting children and adults from being exposed to lead in drinking water. 

The updated rule requires drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years, and it also requires more rigorous testing of drinking water and, critically, a lower threshold for communities to take action to protect the community from lead in drinking water.

“Get the lead out!” said Congressman Tom Suozzi, in reaction to the announcement. “Any amount of lead exposure in drinking water is dangerous and unacceptable, especially for children, and I look forward to seeing the EPA’s new rule ensuring that Americans in Northeast Queens, New York’s 3rd District, and the rest of the country no longer have to worry about this threat.”

In a win for transparency, the new rule also “improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them,” according to the EPA. 

In order to meet this mandate, water systems will need to have the most accurate inventory as soon as possible in order to line up the materials, labor, and funding needed to achieve 100% lead pipe replacement quickly, efficiently, equitably, and cost-effectively. 

Part of that will come from $2.6 billion in newly available supplemental drinking water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the EPA announced alongside the LCRI. New York will receive $116,298,000 in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding for New York through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will flow through the drinking water state revolving funds (DWSRFs) and is available to support lead pipe replacement and inventory projects. 

“Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State has made historic investments to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water which poses a clear threat to public health. We support the Biden Administration’s new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements which will further protect New Yorkers,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “We look forward to working with the Environmental Protection Agency to help support our communities’ efforts to comply with the rule and provide safe access to clean drinking water.”

In New York, these and other federal funds will be administered through the Water State Revolving Fund. The EPA also highlighted that 49% of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding must go to disadvantaged communities — those most at risk to lead exposure — in the form of grants or other investments that do not have to be repaid. 

“With up to 9 million homes still being served through legacy lead pipes across the country, today’s announcement by the Biden-Harris Administration to require replacement of lead pipes within 10 years is a critical step to advancing environmental justice,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler. 

There is no safe level of lead exposure and when humans are exposed it can lead to irreversible health effects, including behavior and learning problems as well as serious and long-term physical ailments. 

The EPA estimates that the benefits of the rule will be up to 13 times greater than the costs, including preventing the loss of IQ points in children and avoided deaths and heart disease in adults. 

“Clean water is a basic human right, and this funding is a critical step toward ensuring all our communities—especially those most at risk—have access to it,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “I’m proud to have helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that made today’s announcement possible, and I look forward to seeing how these actions will benefit our communities for generations to come.”

Additionally, the EPA is encouraging communities to apply directly for a new $35 million in competitive grant funding for reducing lead in drinking water. 

For New Yorkers, this exciting news closely follows a recent announcement of nearly $90 million in State grants for communities to remove lead pipes from drinking water infrastructure. Investments in removing lead pipes will also support the creation of good-paying, local jobs.

“When it comes to New York’s water pipes, we’re getting the lead out,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and our state’s $90 million investment, we’re helping communities across New York stay safe and healthy.”

There have been periodic revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule since it was first introduced in 1991, including in 2000, 2004, and 2021. This latest update is the most consequential to date and finally sets the nation on the path to eliminating the risk of lead exposure through drinking water once and for all. 

Or, as Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez put it: “We are building toward a 100% lead-free future thanks to the Biden-Harris administration.”