EPA Lead Proposal, Derided as Weak, May Be Sneakily Strong

A provision tucked within the EPA’s proposal to overhaul the way it regulates lead in drinking water—initially derided as toothless—could have far-reaching consequences for public health, municipal policies, and even real estate transactions, water industry insiders now say.

The proposal would require all water utilities across the country to inventory the location of all of their lead pipes and then make that information public.

“If you were going to have to buy a house with a lead pipe on it, you’d probably say, ‘Hey, you have to take that out,’” said Kurt Souza, an assistant deputy director within the ...