vvEPA Five Key Highlights

#1. Lead in drinking water irreparably harms the health of children and adults and
disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color.

The science is clear - lead is a potent neurotoxin and there is no safe level of exposure. The federal
government banned the installation of new lead pipes in 1986, and yet up to 9 million homes remain
connected to water mains through legacy lead pipes.

#2. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements strengthen nationwide requirements to protect
Americans from lead in drinking water.

On October 8, 2024, EPA announced the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Under the LCRI,
drinking water systems will be required to proactively replace lead services lines within 10 years. This
requirement removes the greatest nationwide source of lead in drinking water. The rule also strengthens
requirements to locate lead pipes, improve testing for lead in water, and ensure that exposure is minimized
while lead pipe replacement efforts are underway. These advancements are commonsense, achievable, and
built on actions taken by states and cities.

#3. The health and economic benefits of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements exceed the
costs by more than tenfold.

The LCRI will help protect millions of children and adults from exposure to harmful lead in drinking water. As a
result, communities will be healthier, medical costs will be reduced, school performance will improve and
boost economic productivity. At the same time, investments in removing lead pipes will create good-paying
jobs.

#4. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and funding programs like the Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA)
there has never been more federal funding available to support lead pipe removal projects.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $26 billion that can be used to address lead in drinking water—$15
billion of that is specifically dedicated to removing legacy lead pipes. EPA has developed a website identifying
available funding sources. To complement this historic federal investment, EPA's Water Technical Assistance
programs are helping disadvantaged communities access funding.

#5. It is time to get the lead out!

Want to know more about lead?

Learn about the Biden-Harris Administration's whole of government approach to reducing lead exposure. Learn more

about EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements by visiting the rule webpage

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lead-and-copper-rule-improvements.

Learn about lead where you live by reaching out to your local water authority—starting with their website where

many drinking water systems have information about lead.

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