John,

We have a public health crisis—and an opportunity to do something about it. Low levels of lead exposure in drinking water have been linked to learning disabilities in children, impaired hearing, and damage to the central and peripheral nervous system. In adults, lead exposure has been linked to decreased kidney function, reproductive health problems, and severe cardiovascular problems.¹

Despite all of these known risks, between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020, 186 million people—56% of the U.S. population—drank water from drinking water systems that detected lead levels exceeding 1 part per billion (ppb). 61 million people were served by drinking water systems where lead levels were detected to exceed 5 ppb.²

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed regulations to help get lead out of drinking water. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements is a big step forward and would ensure the replacement of most lead pipes in 10 years, including in low-income communities and areas most impacted by this health crisis. We also must require water utilities to cover the full costs, so we’re not putting that financial burden on low-income homeowners, and to protect renters whose landlords are unlikely to pay the cost of lead pipe replacement. Otherwise, we are further exacerbating this public health crisis’s disproportionate impact on communities of color. The federal government has already provided some funds to help utilities shoulder these costs.

We can support this proposal by submitting comments to the Federal Register about these proposed regulations until February 5, 2024. Click here to submit your comment directly to the EPA, urging them to finalize strong regulations that will give everyone access to safe drinking water as quickly as possible.

The EPA recently estimated that there are 9.2 million lead pipes spread across the country, but this could be a very low estimate.³ A 2021 Natural Resources Defense Council survey found that only 10 states and the District of Columbia were able to provide data on the number of lead pipes in their jurisdiction, whereas 32 states admitted they do not track the number of lead water pipes in their state.⁴

This is a public health crisis that must be addressed immediately. The effects of prolonged lead exposure can result in health issues that last a lifetime and can affect cognitive function, increased risk of miscarriage, and cause hypertension.

We know that the impacts of potential lead poisoning won’t be felt equally. Communities of color, low-income communities, and rural communities are already affected by disproportionate levels of lead contamination. Unfortunately, the resources—and the political will—to remedy the situation are often lacking. We saw what happened in Flint, Michigan when residents had to take it upon themselves to get government to respond after officials’ reckless decisions created a water crisis that dramatically increased blood lead levels in Flint’s children, which can cause heightened levels of learning delays, hyperactivity, skin rashes and more, disproportionately affecting Black and poor children.⁵

We have an opportunity to improve the health outcomes of millions of adults, children, and babies. Submit a comment to the EPA in support of the proposed regulations, which would ensure everyone has safer drinking water.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water
² Millions Served by Water Systems Detecting Lead
³ 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment
⁴ Lead Pipes Are Widespread and Used in Every State
⁵ Water crisis increased Flint children’s lead exposure