Statewide Iowa — (RI) — The U-S Environmental Protection Agency is proposing some major changes to a rule that regulates lead in drinking water. One change would require water systems with lead above 15 parts per billion to annually replace at least three percent of their lead service lines right up to individual homes.
EPA Regional Administrator Jim Gulliford says this change is an improvement. The current rule requires water systems to replace seven percent of just their portion of the lead service lines, which he says doesn’t help individual homes.
Water systems with even higher amounts would need to replace at least 3 percent of their lead service lines each year.
The EPA is taking public comment on the proposed rules for 60 days once they’re published in the Federal Register.
