More about lead in drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree high levels of lead in tap water can have adverse health effects. Taking action to reduce exposure is vital for safety and well-being. Fehr Graham is taking steps to help communities improve outcomes by working with municipalities to find funding, investigate, develop plans and replace lead service pipes to keep water at standards customers expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lead? | What is a lead water service line? | How long has lead in drinking water been an issue? | Who is working to ensure lead in drinking water is reduced? | What changes are being made to reduce lead in drinking water? | What is the lead and copper rule? | What is the process of maintaining water quality? | What actions are being taken at the state and local levels? | Should I be worried? | What options are there for funding lead service line replacements? | Is there funding that applies to all states?
Q: |
What changes are being made to reduce lead in drinking water? |
| A: |
The ultimate goal is to eliminate all lead service lines in the United States. In 2011, the Safe Drinking Water Act reduced the maximum allowable lead content in drinking water. The goal is to have all lead service lines replaced or eliminated by 2050. Communities are taking advantage of grants and forgivable loans to replace lead service lines. The Safe Drinking Water Act also restricts a public water supply’s ability to complete a partial lead service line replacement. Here's a look at more specifics about lead in drinking water in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin: Illinois: On Jan. 1, 2022, the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (Public Act 102-0613) went into effect and requires public water supplies to submit a lead service line inventory to the Illinois EPA by April 15, 2023. Iowa: All public water supply systems classified as community water systems and nontransient, noncommunity water systems in Iowa are required to submit lead service line inventories to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by Oct. 16, 2024. Wisconsin: The Dairy State is also required to submit lead service line inventories to the Wisconsin DNR by Oct. 16, 2024. Don’t live in these three states? Visit your state’s EPA website for more information on lead in drinking water. |
Q: |
What is the lead and copper rule? |
| A: |
The U.S. EPA enacted the lead and copper rule in 1991 to minimize lead and copper levels in drinking water, primarily by reducing the corrosivity of the water in the pipes. In 2020, the U.S. EPA finalized a major revision to the lead and copper rule to focus on protecting children in elementary schools and childcare facilities, removing sources of lead from drinking water and providing communities with information. The lead and copper rule for Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin establishes maximum particulate concentration levels in drinking water, and the revision has different requirement depending on the state. It also restricts public water supplies from completing partial lead service line replacements. For more information on state-specific requirements, visit your state EPA website. |
Q: |
Should I be worried? |
| A: | While lead water service lines are a known risk, there are steps that can be taken to reduce exposure during the time lead service lines are identified and replaced. The EPA recommends regular water testing for homes with known lead services. There are NSF/ANSI 61-compliant filters that reduce particulate matter in drinking water that passes through the filter membrane. For more information, visit the EPA’s lead service line replacement webpage. |
To learn more about how Fehr Graham’s water engineering experts can help you with lead service line replacement, contact us or give us a call at 815.394.4700.
To learn more about how Fehr Graham’s water engineering experts can help you with lead service line replacement, contact us or give us a call at 815.394.4700.
