EPA finalizes historic action to better protect children’s health
The first major update in Lead and Copper Rule in 30 years
Lenexa, Kansas – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler has announced the first major update to the agency’s Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) in nearly 30 years.
This historic action strengthens every aspect of the LCR and accelerates actions that reduce lead in drinking water to better protect children from lead exposure.
“This new Lead and Copper Rule will protect children and families from exposure to lead in drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “For the first time in nearly thirty years, this action incorporates best practices and strengthens every aspect of the rule, including closing loopholes, accelerating the real world pace of lead service line replacement, and ensuring that lead pipes will be replaced in their entirety.”
In older homes and buildings, lead can leach from service lines, solder, and fixtures into tap water and become a significant source of lead exposure. In children, lead exposure can cause irreversible and life-long health effects, including decreasing IQ, focus, and academic achievement.
“This Lead and Copper Rule makes substantive changes to protect children from the dangers of lead exposure,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford. “While we have increased community awareness and taken action to reduce childhood lead exposure, getting lead out of our communities’ drinking water supply lines is a momentous step. Each additional step we take in this fight against lead exposure provides a better future for our children and must continue to be a top priority.”
EPA’s new Lead and Copper Rule better protects children and communities from the risks of lead exposure by testing drinking water at elementary schools and childcare facilities, getting the lead out of our nation’s drinking water, and empowering communities through information. Improvements under the new rule include:
For more information on the new LCR, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ground-
For information on lead service line replacement, visit www.epa.gov/safewater/