What’s in the Biden administration’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements?

On Oct. 8, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) will 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.

In addition, 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. This final rule has been a priority for the Biden EPA as it aims to see every lead pipe in the country replaced within a decade.