Drinking water systems across the country are required to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years, according to a final rule issued by the Biden-Harris Administration on October 8, 2024.
The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water, according to a press release issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Additionally, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them.
“We’ve known for decades that lead exposure has serious long-term impacts for children’s health,” said EPA administrator Michael S. Regan. “…With the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and historic investments in lead pipe replacement, the Biden-Harris Administration is fulfilling its commitment that no community, regardless of race, geography, or wealth, should have to worry about lead-contaminated water in their homes.”
As many as 9 million homes are served through legacy lead pipes across the country, many of which are in lower-income communities and communities of color, creating disproportionate lead exposure burden for these families, according to the EPA.
Although the use of lead pipes for plumbing was banned in 1986, and the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments of 1991 set strict limits on lead content in drinking water, many homes still rely on outdated infrastructure.
Even a small amount of lead in drinking water can be harmful, which is why replacing LSLs has become a top priority for public health advocates and government agencies alike.
The Biden Administration had previously set a goal of replacing all lead service lines within the next decade, earmarking $15 billion specifically for lead service line replacement with the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
As part of the final rule announcement on October 8, the EPA also announced the investment of an additional $2.6 billion for drinking water upgrades and lead pipe replacements which will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding will be distributed through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRFs) to support lead pipe replacement and inventory initiatives. Furthermore, 49% of these funds must be allocated to disadvantaged communities as grants or principal forgiveness that do not require repayment.
The EPA is also making $35 million in competitive grants available for efforts to reduce lead in drinking water, encouraging communities to apply directly for this funding. Additional federal resources are accessible for lead pipe replacement projects, and the EPA has created a website listing available funding opportunities.
“There is no higher priority than safety, and this announcement advances the safety of drinking water all across the country,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “We are making progress through partnerships. And I am so pleased President Joe Biden and the Environmental Protection Agency are working with local governments to speed the replacement of lead pipes that carry drinking water into homes.”
“The EPA’s new lead rule will begin to reverse the massive public health disaster of lead-contaminated tap water that has affected generations of our children,” added Manish Bapna, president and CEO of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Every person has a right to safe and affordable drinking water, no matter their race, income, or zip code. NRDC has had the privilege of working with residents of Flint, Newark, Chicago and beyond to help secure this meaningful rule and stop the flow of toxic lead from the tap into water glasses in homes across the nation.”
In its press release, the EPA also outlined several communities across the country which have already begun to address removal of their lead pipes:
- Milwaukee Water Works is set to replace all remaining lead pipes within the EPA’s designated ten-year period. In 2024 alone, the city secured around $30 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace 3,400 lead service lines
- The Detroit Water and Sewage Department has secured $90 million from the Administration and plans to replace over 8,000 lead service lines this year, positioning the city to eliminate all lead pipes within the next decade
- The Erie, Pennsylvania Water Works has been awarded $49 million from the EPA, allowing the city to complete its lead pipe replacement in 5 years instead of the originally projected 25 years
- With $76 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Denver Water has accelerated its efforts, putting the city on pace to replace all lead pipes within the next decade
GPRS Utility Locating Services Assist with Lead Service Line Removal
The first step in removing a lead service line (LSL) is identifying its presence, which involves accurately mapping your water system infrastructure. This requires precise location and mapping of both pressurized drinking water lines and sewer lines, including sanitary and storm sewers, before exposing potential lead lines for excavation and replacement.
GPRS has achieved and maintains a 99.8%+ accuracy rate in utility locating and mapping. When you hire us to conduct a utility locate, you receive access to our first-of-its-kind SiteMap® (patent pending) infrastructure visualization software. This tool delivers layered, interactive utility maps through a secure, cloud-based platform, enabling you to manage your buried infrastructure data quality and control user access. SiteMap® ensures that the right information is shared with the right people at the right time.
From skyscrapers to sewer lines, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize?
GPRS Sponsors Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week
GPRS sponsors Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week (WSDAW), an annual municipal water safety event held in October. If you would like to schedule a WSDAW educational event for your community or facility, click here to register.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is a pipe that connects the water main under the street to a home or building. These pipes are made of lead and were commonly used for plumbing in the early 20th century. Because lead is highly toxic, these pipes can contaminate drinking water if they corrode or break down over time.
2. How do I know if my home has a lead service line?
To determine if your home has a lead service line, check with your local water utility or health department. They may have information on the presence of lead pipes in your area. You can also hire a professional plumber to inspect your service line or look for clues such as the color and material of the pipe where it enters your home.
3. Who is responsible for replacing lead service lines?
Responsibility for replacing lead service lines varies by location. In some areas, the water utility covers the cost of replacement, while in others, homeowners may be required to share in the cost. Recent federal and state initiatives aim to reduce the financial burden on homeowners, particularly in low-income communities, by providing subsidies and grants for lead service line replacement.
The lead service line replacement program is an essential step toward ensuring safe drinking water for all Americans. As efforts continue to ramp up, the hope is that lead contamination in drinking water will soon be a thing of the past.
4. What type of information do I receive when I hire GPRS to conduct a utility locate?
Our Project Managers flag and paint our findings directly on the surface. This method of communication is the most accurate form of marking when excavation is expected to commence within a few days of service.
GPRS also uses a global positioning system (GPS) to collect data points of findings. We use this data to generate a plan, KMZ file, satellite overlay, or CAD file to permanently preserve results for future use. GPRS does not provide land surveying services. If you need land surveying services, please contact a professional land surveyor. Please contact us to discuss the pricing and marking options your project may require.
