In a significant step towards ensuring access to safe drinking water for all Americans, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposal to eliminate all lead drinking water pipes across the country within the next decade. The proposed improvements to the lead and copper rule would require utilities to replace lead service lines within 10 years, regardless of the lead levels found in water samples.

The EPA's proposal is a response to the public health crises that have occurred due to contaminated drinking water, such as the infamous case in Flint, Michigan, in 2014. By prioritizing the removal of lead pipes, the EPA aims to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

The impact of contaminated drinking water falls disproportionately on poor communities and communities of color. Recognizing the need for environmental justice, the EPA's proposal seeks to address the issue of access to safe drinking water as a matter of public health.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a renowned pediatrician in Flint and associate dean for public health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, lauded the proposed rule, saying, "A game changer for kids and communities, EPA's proposed new lead and copper rule would help ensure that we will never again see the preventable tragedy of a city, or a child, poisoned by their pipes."

The EPA's proposal aligns with President Joe Biden's goal of removing all lead pipes in the country. It is part of the administration's broader efforts to limit lead exposure, which has been known to cause damage to the brain and nervous system, among other severe health consequences.

Under the new rule, water systems would be required to replace at least 10% of their lead pipes annually. In addition to the pipe replacement mandate, the proposal also aims to improve sampling protocols and decrease the lead action level in drinking water from 15 micrograms per liter to 10 micrograms per liter.

Currently, established standards dictate that water systems must take action if 10% of samples exceed lead levels of 15 micrograms per liter. With the proposed lower action level, stricter measures would be in place for safer drinking water standards across the nation.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris express their firm belief that every American should have access to safe drinking water. Brenda Mallory, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, stated, "The EPA proposal represents a major advancement in protecting children and families from lead."

The EPA's proposal to remove all lead drinking water pipes within a decade marks an important milestone in mitigating the risks associated with lead-contaminated water. As efforts towards environmental justice and public health continue, the push for improved drinking water infrastructure brings hope for a future where all Americans can trust the water coming out of their taps.