EPA should reduce the 90th percentile lead action level measurements that trigger corrective actions by a water system to 10 parts-per-billion (ppb), according to a letter sent to the agency last week by 61 members of the House of Representatives.
Signed by 59 Democrats and 2 Republicans, the letter argues that a lead action level of 10 ppb would reflect “the latest science on incidence and health effects from lead in drinking water and effective notification of elevated levels.” The letter goes on to note that a 10 ppb standard would align with World Health Organization guidelines as well as the European Union Council Directive on drinking water.
EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule currently requires community water systems to periodically test water samples for lead at consumer taps. If more than 10 percent of samples collected during a monitoring period exceed 15 ppb, then the utility must carry out corrective actions that may include additional water quality parameters monitoring, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring, lead service line replacement and public education and notification requirements. EPA plans to propose updates to the Lead and Copper Rule in 2017.
The House letter was sent to EPA just days after news broke on Capitol Hill that several drinking water samples from a congressional office building contained lead levels in excess of 15 ppb, triggering panic among some congressional staff.