EPA Proposes All Lead Service Lines Be Replaced within Ten Years

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed strengthening its Lead and Copper Rule to require water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within a decade. EPA is also proposing additional changes to protect public health. These include lowering the lead action level and improving sampling protocols utilized by water systems.

The proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements are an advancement in protecting children and adults from the significant health effects that can be caused by lead in drinking water. Key provisions of the proposal include:

• Achieving 100% Lead Pipe Replacement within 10 years.
• Locating legacy lead pipes.
• Improving tap sampling.
• Lowering the Lead Action Level.
• Strengthening protections to reduce exposure.

According to the EPA announcement:
The science is clear: there is no safe level of lead exposure. In children, it can severely harm mental and physical development - slowing down learning and damaging the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function and cancer.

“Lead service lines can still be found in Puerto Rico and many other islands across the Caribbean,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “While lead is rarely found in source water, it can enter the water supply as it comes in contact with plumbing materials that contain it, such as service lines. It can also leach from lead pipes in buildings, as well as from solder or from brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures.”

Nationwide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates 20 percent or more of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water. This is why the professionals at Zimmetry Environmental offer lead and other hazardous material testing, monitoring, consulting and training services. These resources protect the public and help business and institutions comply with health and safety regulations.

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their lead or other environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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