The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed stricter rules for lead in drinking water This would require all lead water lines in the country to be replaced within 10 years, reducing the current active level of lead in drinking water from 15 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion.
According to the White House, more than 9.2 million homes in the United States have water connections that include lead pipes. When pipes corrode, lead migrates from the pipes into the water. Corrosion is most severe when the water is acidic or has low mineral content. Lead is a toxic metal that has a wide range of health effects, including neurotoxicity. There is no safe level of lead. In children, exposure to lead can damage the brain and nervous system, slow development, lower IQ, and cause learning, behavior, language, and hearing problems. For adults, it may increase the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and kidney damage.
EPA estimates The rule would raise $9.8 billion to $34.8 billion annually based on health improvements, such as higher IQ in children, better health in newborns, lower cardiovascular risk in adults, and less care for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is said that the economic benefits of the dollar will be brought.
But removing and replacing lead pipes isn’t cheap. The EPA estimates that replacing the pipes will cost $20 billion to $30 billion over 10 years. There is currently $15 billion in funding available for lead pipe discovery and replacement through the Infrastructure Act of 2021. The White House notes there is also an additional $11.7 billion in general purpose funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which could also be used to replace lead pipes.
In addition to lowering lead action levels and removing remaining lead pipes, the new rules will identify lead piping, facilitate improvements in lead testing, and ensure lead levels exceed action levels. If this turns out to be the case, it will also help to require more public support, such as providing more to the local community. A filter that removes lead.
The rule is part of a larger effort by the Biden administration to reduce children’s lead exposure and advance environmental justice. Lead exposure disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color.
“Lead in drinking water is a generational public health problem, and EPA’s proposal advances President Biden’s goal of permanently replacing all lead pipes in the United States,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. It will accelerate progress.” “With the collaboration and focused action proposed today, EPA will fulfill our mission to protect all Americans, especially communities of color, who are disproportionately harmed by lead in drinking water systems. I am.”
EPA is accepting comments on the proposed rule for 60 days and could finalize it sometime next year.