Trump administration will defend Biden-era lead pipe rule

The EPA told a federal appeals court it will defend the Biden-era rule that requires most cities to replace lead service lines within ten years, and said it will develop tools to support practical implementation.

The Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump administration told a federal appeals court it will defend a Biden-era rule that requires most cities and towns to replace lead service lines within 10 years. The rule, finalized in 2024, lowered the action level for lead in drinking water and requires utilities to notify consumers, take action when higher levels are found, and work to replace lead pipes. This position differs from the administration's broader deregulatory moves on other environmental rules. The EPA also said it will develop new tools and information to support practical implementation and regulatory clarity. Key facts: - The EPA filed notice it will defend the 2024 overhaul of lead-in-water standards against a court challenge by the American Water Works Association. - The rule sets a 10-year deadline for most communities to replace lead service lines and lowers the lead trigger level to 10 parts per billion from 15. - The American Water Works Association argued utilities should not be responsible for the portion of lead pipes on private property and said the 10-year deadline was not feasible. - The EPA said utilities can be required to replace entire lead pipes because they have sufficient control and reviewed data suggesting most systems could meet a 10-year timeline. - Federal estimates of the number of lead pipes changed after updated analysis, with the Biden administration estimating about 9 million and a later EPA update projecting roughly 4 million due to methodological changes. Summary: The EPA's filing notifies the appeals court that it will defend what it calls the strongest overhaul of lead-in-water standards in decades. The rule could expand the number of communities found to violate lead standards because of revised measurement methods, and a court challenge by a utility association is ongoing. Undetermined at this time.