The Trump administration finalized guidance Friday for water utilities to identify and replace pipes made of lead, despite environmental activists’ concerns that the guidance offers utilities work-arounds that could delay the transition.
The documents are intended to help water utilities comply with EPA regulations requiring that all lead pipes be identified, publicly disclosed and, ultimately, replaced with pipes made of safer materials.
Still, critics say they emphasize obstacles that utilities may face in completing the work, rather than solutions to get rid of lead pipes as quickly as possible to prevent lead poisoning.
“EPA is committed to supporting local water systems as they identify and remove lead pipes,” Jess Kramer, EPA’s assistant administrator for water, said in a news release.