The proposal, called the lead and copper rule improvements, would for the first time require utilities to replace lead pipes even if their lead levels aren’t too high. Most cities have not been forced to replace their lead pipes and many don’t even know where they are. Some cities with a lot of lead pipes might be given longer deadlines, the agency said.
In addition, the EPA announced it wants to lower the level of lead at which utilities are forced to take action. And federal officials are pushing cities to do a better job informing the public when elevated lead levels are found.
The EPA is smart to package this with more stringent testing requirements. I suspect the larger volume of sample data will justify pipe replacement very quickly.
As long as the EPA requirements are prioritized afterwards that’s fine. Doesn’t matter if private utility, an elected mayor, or a governor-appointed emergency manager replaces the pipes.
I can scarcely think of higher priorities in local budgets.
Most U.S. cities would have to replace lead water pipes within 10 years under strict new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA enacted the first comprehensive lead in drinking water regulations in 1991.
I think it’s important to ask the cities that find this burdensome exactly what they were doing for the 32 years since 1991, and why a decade isn’t enough extra time to deal with this.
That’s almost a half a century in total. That’s being way too comfortable neglecting critical infrastructure.
Needs to be done anyway. How many years were they going to leave the old pipes otherwise? If NYC or LA has more important things to do, they can explain their priorities during the commenting period.
Unlike the boot-licking retards who need (D)addy to do everything for them, those of you with a brain in your head and a concern for clean water will install a whole house filter/filtration system on your main water line.
It will ultimately be up to utilities to decide whether to pay the full cost of replacing lead pipes, which is too expensive for many people to afford.
We strongly, strongly encourage water utilities to pay for it," Fox said.
The 2021 infrastructure law included $15 billion to find and replace lead pipes. More will be needed. Additional federal funds are available to improve water infrastructure and the EPA is providing smaller communities with extra help.
should we trust the science?
Or should we throw it away and follow our political belief like a religion?
The reason I ask is because the science says
passing a very large volume of water though a few hundred meters of lead pipe does absolutely zero to endanger anyone’s health.
OTOH if we reject science and declare “lead is all scary” and “corporations are evil” then we might be inclined to support anything that sounds like environmentalism.
