Biden-Harris Administration’s Final Rule for Lead Pipe Replacement in 10 Years

Efforts to Reduce the Harmful Effects of Lead Exposure

The dangers of lead exposure have been known for years, with many efforts being put in place over time to reduce the short- and long-term effects of lead exposure. But the first large-scale provision to minimize the dangers of lead was the banning of lead-based paint products in 1978.

However, despite the efforts by local, state, and federal governments as well as other regulatory bodies over several decades, lead exposure is still a major problem within households and businesses across the United States. Between lingering lead-based paint, lead piping and other sources, citizens still have the risk of being affected by lead.

The EPA estimates that up to 9 million homes are served through legacy lead pipes in the U.S.—with a majority of them being homes in disadvantaged communities. Leading many to realize that impactful changes need to be made as soon as possible.

National Lead Pipe Replacement by 2034

The Biden-Harris Administration has sought to significantly reduce Americans’ exposure to this harmful metal by issuing their final rule requiring the replacement of lead pipes within the next 10 years.

Their action plan requires all lead service lines in public water systems to identify and replace lead pipes by 2034.

This will help minimize the damage that lead exposure can have on U.S. citizens, especially in low-income communities.

Elements and Additions of the Final Rule on Lead Piping

Within this historical plan to replace all lead piping in the U.S., there are multiple improvements and opportunities to help with the process including:

  • The requirement to remove or replace lead piping within the next 10 years, with some water systems being granted a slightly extended timeline due to the high proportion of legacy lead lines within their systems.
  • The requirement of more rigorous testing for drinking water and lowering the lead action level from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb for faster action and public notification for lead in drinking water
  • The EPA announcing $2.6 billion in drinking water infrastructure funding to support lead pipe replacement and inventory projects, with 49% of the funding being provided to disadvantaged communities as grant funding.
  • The EPA offering $35 million in competitive grant funding to reduce lead in drinking water, with additional federal funding and a website identifying available funding sources.

These improvements put forth achievable, common-sense practices to help prevent adverse health effects from lead, with some communities already tackling the lead piping issue such as:

  • Milwaukee Water Works is on track to replace all remaining lead pipes within the EPA’s ten-year timeframe. In 2024 alone, Milwaukee received approximately $30 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to replace 3,400 lead service lines
  • The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has received $90 million from the Administration and will replace more than 8,000 lead service lines this year, putting the city on track to replace all lead pipes in 10 years
  • The Erie, Pennsylvania Water Works has received $49 million from the EPA to enable the city to replace all lead pipes within 5 years instead of 25 years
  • Denver Water has accelerated its efforts through $76 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allowing the city to be on track to replace all lead pipes within a decade

Benefits of Replacing Lead Piping in the Next Decade

It’s well known that lead is a strong neurotoxin and isn’t safe regardless of exposure level—especially for children. Children exposed to lead risk harming their mental and physical development. For adults, lead exposure can cause adverse health effects in vital organs. And there is no known antidote according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s why this final ruling on lead piping is so vital to the health of U.S. citizens going forward and will help with the following:

  • Protecting up to 900,000 infants from having low birthweight
  • Preventing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in up to 2,600 children
  • Reducing up to 1,500 cases of premature death from heart disease
  • Preventing up to 200,000 IQ points lost in children
  • And even helping to increase good-paying local jobs to help with the process

The public health and economic benefits of the final rule are estimated to be up to 13 times greater than the costs. Implementing this initiative on lead piping puts the U.S. on track to provide safer drinking water for all.

Testing for Lead is an Important Step Toward Safer Drinking Water

Now that the threshold for lead contamination in drinking water has been altered in favor of protecting citizens more efficiently, testing will become a more regular occurrence—especially with lead pipe removal or replacement being on a decade-long timeline.

Having a trusted lead testing lab can be an important part of keeping everyone safe on your property or facility.

Environmental Hazards Services offers multiple forms of lead testing to help you discover it and prevent adverse health effects.

Contact us today and set up testing for projects of any size, scope or complexity.