EPA intends to ‘strengthen’ lead and copper regulations as LCR revisions take effect

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that the agency will begin developing a new regulation to better protect communities from exposure to lead in drinking water. EPA says it is committed to using every tool available—statutory authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act, technical assistance, funding and more—to protect all Americans from lead in drinking water.

The agency says it will collaboratively work with local, state and federal partners, to make rapid progress on President Joe Biden’s goal to remove 100 percent of lead service lines, with a focus on prioritizing communities disproportionately impacted by lead contamination.