EPA Lead Pipe Rule Good for Justice, But May Come at High Cost

The EPA’s goal to replace all lead drinking water pipes in the US within 10 years is ambitious and furthers environmental justice, water attorneys and environmental groups say, but some former agency officials worry the goal may be too costly to meet.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced its proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, or LCRI, which would require water utilities to replace 10% of their lead service lines annually to avoid contaminating drinking water with lead. The proposal would replace a Trump-era rule that calls for replacing just 3% of lead pipes each year.

Contamination from ...