Lead and Copper Rule: Protecting Communities from Lead in Drinking Water

Even in small amounts, lead can cause irreversible brain damage in children, learning disabilities, and impaired hearing. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.

Case Overview

In October 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements rule (LCRI), a long-overdue measure that makes significant changes to the Safe Drinking Water Act rule aimed at reducing lead contamination of drinking water.

This new rule requires the proactive replacement of most lead service lines nationwide within the next 10 years, improves sampling methods to more accurately measure lead levels, and lowers the “lead action level,” which will force more water systems to take immediate action to address lead contamination. The new rule also requires water systems to provide consumers with filters when high lead levels are repeatedly detected.

The EPA is making these necessary changes on the heels of Congress’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which set aside $15 billion dollars for lead service line removal.

This country has the means, and the Biden administration has now shown the will, to stop drinking water from being delivered though service lines made of lead, a highly toxic contaminant that leaches into the water.

There are still as many as 10 million lead service lines in the United States, delivering drinking water to an estimated 22 million people.

"Dropping" by Ceyhun (Jay) Isik/https://flic.kr/p/cFMbPE
Children in Flint, Michigan, have been poisoned by lead in the city's tap water. (Ceyhun (Jay) Isik/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Case Updates

A lead pipe is shown after being replaced by a copper water supply line to a home in Flint, Mich., July 20, 2018. The Environmental Protection Agency will soon strengthen lead in drinking water regulations. (Paul Sancya / AP)
January 23, 2025 Update

Congress Wants to Gut Protections Against Lead. We’ll Fight Back.

We’ve come too far on strengthening lead protections to back down. Communities drinking contaminated water because of lead pipes should not have to wait decades for help.

December 20, 2024 document

Motion to Intervene: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements

Motion of Newburgh Clean Water Project, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Sierra Club to intervene in support of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the challenge to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements.

A cut lead pipe is pulled from a dig site for testing at a home in Royal Oak, Mich., on Nov. 16, 2021.
December 20, 2024 Press Release

Groups Seek to Defend Lead Pipe Rule Challenged by Water Utilities

Lead service lines contaminate drinking water across the country and must be replaced now